Calculating the cost of climate disasters : why investments in climate information services pay off

Abstract

A new framework developed by the African Climate Policy Centre provides governments with a vital tool for calculating – and minimizing – the costs of climate disasters. If governments are to invest in climate information services (CIS) to minimize the costs of climate disasters, they need to know – in very precise monetary terms – the returns on their investment. A new framework demonstrates how modest investments in CIS can enable disaster interventions, leading to significant avoided costs and added benefits in many socio-economic sectors. For governments, the framework is a vital tool for preparing disaster risk reduction strategies or expanding existing national and sectoral policies and strategies.