How to reduce the costs of climate change to society? Micro and macroeconomic perspectives for choosing adaptation options under uncertainty

Strategic relocation, immunization and insurance to cope with floods: issues, solutions and research perspectives*

With Mathieu Boudreault & Danielle N'Cho (UQAM)

Floods are the most important natural disaster in Quebec and Canada. Climate change, rapid urbanization, aging infrastructure and inflation have contributed to increased flood-related costs in the country. The exceptional floods that occurred in the spring of 2017 and 2019 have had major impacts and have highlighted the vulnerability of the built environment and the need to rethink the flood risk management model in Canada. 

The objective of this presentation is to explore possible solutions and research perspectives to improve public and private programs to reduce the financial impacts of flooding. First, the speakers will present the Quebec and Canadian context of flood financial management. Then, they will mobilize the microeconomic theory of choices under uncertainty to determine in which situations and when relocation or raising the second floor may be optimal. Finally, they will focus on flood insurance, an important instrument for increasing the resilience and awareness of riverine populations to flood risks.

Damage Control: reducing the costs of climate impacts in Canada*

With Julien Bourque (Canadian Climate Institute)

The purpose of this webinar is to share some of the findings of the latest report in the "Costs of Climate Change" series produced by the Climate Institute of Canada. This report provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of the consequences of accelerating climate change on the economy and on people's lives, well-being and prosperity. 

Taking all 16 impact groups into account, the Institute has assessed 84 scenarios under: 

• 2 global emissions scenarios

• 7 downscaled climate models

• 3 asset growth scenarios

• 2 adaptation scenarios

While this analysis presents a much more detailed picture than previous studies, its results represent only the tip of the iceberg of the extent of damage to Canada's economy and society.

*Please note that this webinar will be presented in French.