Climate Action South Asia: Information Update No. 3: The Economics of Climate Change in South Asia

Abstract

Analyses show that the cost of early action on climate change in South Asia is lower than the cost of damage brought about by climate change impacts. In physical terms, the region will face water shortage and agricultural food production losses, which are vital to achieving poverty reduction and other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). South Asian countries will gain most by early inclusion of climate adaptation in their development goals. This will reduce their vulnerability and improve their resilience against impacts of climate change.