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David N. Bresch edited this page Feb 28, 2020 · 10 revisions

PLEASE USE THE PYTHON VERSION: https://github.com/CLIMADA-project/climada_python

The present MATLAB version of CLIMADA is not supported any more.

####What is CLIMADA?

  • CLIMADA stands for **CLIM**ate **ADA**ptation and is a probabilistic natural catastrophe damage model, that also calculates averted damage (benefit) thanks to adaptation measures of any kind (from grey to green infrastructure, behavioural, etc.).

  • CLIMADA is based on four elements

    • Assets (i.e. geographical distribution of people, houses, activities, public infrastructure, ...)
    • Damage functions (relating impact to economic consequence - or any other pertinent metric, like people affected)
    • Hazards (currently implemented are: tropical cyclones, storm surge, torrential rain, earthquake, volcano and meteorites on a global yet local (1km) resolution, plus winter storm in Europe and flood and mudslides in experimental stage)
    • Adaptation measures (i.e. improved building codes, seawall, sandbags, reefs, mangroves).
  • CLIMADA is running in MATLAB®, which is a numerical computing environment, and GNU OCTAVE, the open source alternative.

  • CLIMADA is the open source natural catastrophe model, that implements the Economics of Climate Adaptation methodology, especially steps 2 and 3.



####What is the Economics of Climate Adaptation (ECA) Methodology?

  • ECA enables climate-resilient development for cities, regions and countries.
  • ECA seeks to answer the following questions of national and local decision-makers
    • What is the potential climate-related loss to the economies and societies over the coming decades?
    • How much of that loss can we avert, with what measures?
    • What investments will be required to fund those measures and will the benefits of that investment outweigh the costs?
  • ECA provides the facts and methods necessary to design and execute a climate adaptation strategy that
    • identifies action to minimize climate impacts at the lowest cost to society and
    • allows to integrate adaptation with economic development and sustainable growth.
  • ECA consists of five essential steps

Source (and detailed methodology): ECA Working Group See Shaping climate-resilient development, a framework for decision-making, page 122ff


####Next steps Are you ready to start adapting? Get started!
Read more on natural catastrophe modelling.

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