Since the 2001 IPCC Third Assessment Report, adaptation has received increased attention by both the scientific and the policy communities. Its fundamental role in climate policy is now on an equal footing with mitigation and it will be one of the “pillars” of the forthcoming Paris COP.

There are, however, particular challenges in the analysis of adaptation. It is characterized by heterogeneous activities, which are highly site and time specific, making it difficult to find common units for appraisal. It also involves many methodological challenges, which affect the assessment of its costs, benefits, as well as effectiveness and distributional effects.

Nonetheless, the evidence base has been growing over recent years, and a community of practice is emerging in the assessment of adaptation costs and benefits, from both a top-down and bottom-up perspective.  Against this background, this workshop aims to bring together leading scholars in the area of applied adaptation theory and modeling with two aims:

  • It offers an opportunity to discuss these recent methodological advancements, their implementation in existing models, and their use in  policy assessment
  • The workshop will be the first step to gather a community around the theme of adaptation economics.

The program of the workshop will soon be available on FEEM Website.