Assessing the Financial Vulnerability to Climate-Related Natural Hazards

National governments are key actors in managing the impacts of extreme weather events, yet many highly exposed developing countries -- faced with exhausted tax bases, high levels of indebtedness, and limited donor assistance -- have been unable to...

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Main Authors: Mechler, Reinhard, Hochrainer, Stefan, Pflug, Georg, Lotsch, Alexander, Williges, Keith
Format: Policy Research Working Paper
Language:English
Published: 2012
Subjects:
TAX
Online Access:http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20100303092429
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3718
id okr-10986-3718
recordtype oai_dc
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Foreign Institution
institution Digital Repositories
building World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection World Bank
language English
topic AGENTS
AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE
ALLOCATION
BANK CREDIT
BASIS POINTS
BUDGET CONSTRAINT
BUDGET DEFICIT
CAPITAL MOVEMENTS
CAPITAL STOCK
CATASTROPHE BOND
CATASTROPHE BONDS
CATASTROPHE INSURANCE
CATASTROPHE REINSURANCE
CATASTROPHES
CATASTROPHIC EVENT
CATASTROPHIC EVENTS
CATASTROPHIC LOSS
CATASTROPHIC RISKS
CENTRAL BANK
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH ON THE EPIDEMIOLOGY
CLEAN ENVIRONMENT
CLIMATE
CLIMATE CHANGE
CLIMATE EXTREMES
CLIMATE INSURANCE
CLIMATE INSURANCE INITIATIVE
CLIMATE VARIABILITY
COMMERCIAL BANKS
CONTINGENT DEBT
COST ESTIMATES
COSTS OF INSURANCE
COUNTRY DEBT
COUNTRY RISK
CRED
CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
CREDIT MARKETS
CREDIT POLICY
CURRENCY UNITS
DAMAGES
DEBT
DEBT ISSUES
DEFICIT FINANCING
DEVASTATION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRY
DEVELOPMENT BANK
DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
DISASTER
DISASTER AID
DISASTER EVENT
DISASTER EVENTS
DISASTER INSURANCE
DISASTER PRONE COUNTRIES
DISASTER RELIEF
DISASTER RISK
DISASTER RISK FINANCING
DISASTER RISKS
DISASTERS
DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME
DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO
DOMESTIC BOND
DOMESTIC BONDS
DOMESTIC CREDIT
DOMESTIC FINANCIAL MARKETS
DOMESTIC GOVERNMENT BONDS
DONOR COMMUNITY
DROUGHT
EARTHQUAKE
EARTHQUAKES
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC IMPACTS
ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
ECONOMIC WELFARE
EXPENDITURE
EXPENDITURES
EXTERNAL CREDIT
EXTERNAL DEBT
EXTERNAL FINANCE
EXTREME DROUGHT
EXTREME EVENT
EXTREME EVENTS
EXTREME VALUE STATISTICS
EXTREME VALUE THEORY
EXTREME WEATHER
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
FAMINE
FARMERS
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FINANCIAL CAPACITY
FINANCIAL EXPOSURE
FINANCIAL FLOWS
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL NEEDS
FINANCIAL RESILIENCE
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
FINANCIAL RISKS
FINANCING SOURCES
FISCAL POLICY
FLOOD
FLOODING
FLOODS
FOREIGN CURRENCY
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES
GLOBAL CAPITAL
GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS
GOVERNMENT BONDS
GOVERNMENT BORROWING
GOVERNMENT BUDGET
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES
GOVERNMENT FINANCES
GOVERNMENT LIABILITIES
GOVERNMENT LIABILITY
GOVERNMENT REVENUES
GOVERNMENT SPENDING
GROSS NATIONAL INCOME
HEALTH CARE
HURRICANE
HURRICANES
IMPORTS
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
INCOME GROUPS
INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
INCREMENTAL COSTS
INDEBTEDNESS
INFLATION
INSTRUMENT
INSURANCE
INSURANCE ACTIVITIES
INSURANCE CONTRACT
INSURANCE COVER
INSURANCE FUNDS
INSURANCE INSTRUMENTS
INSURANCE POOLS
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
INSURANCE SYSTEM
INSURANCE SYSTEMS
INTEREST RATE
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL BONDS
INTERNATIONAL BORROWING
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKETS
INTERNATIONAL LENDING
INTERNATIONAL MARKET
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
INTERNATIONAL RESERVES
INVENTORY
INVESTING
INVESTMENT DECISIONS
INVESTMENT PROJECTS
LIQUIDITY
LOAN
LOCAL CURRENCY
LOSS FUNCTION
MACROECONOMIC POLICY
MACROECONOMIC RISK
MACROECONOMIC STABILITY
MARGINAL COST
MARKET FAILURE
MONEY SUPPLY
NATURAL DISASTER
NATURAL DISASTERS
NATURAL HAZARD
NATURAL HAZARDS
NEGOTIATIONS
NET LOSS
OPPORTUNITY COSTS
OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
PENSION
PORTFOLIOS
PREMIUM PAYMENT
PRESENT VALUE
PROBABILITY OF OCCURRENCE
PRODUCTIVITY
PROGRAMS
PUBLIC FINANCE
PUBLIC INVESTMENT
REINSURANCE
REINSURER
RELIEF
RESERVE
RESERVE FUND
RESERVE FUNDS
RESERVES
RETURN
RETURNS
RISK ASSESSMENT
RISK ASSESSMENTS
RISK AVERSION
RISK INSURANCE
RISK MANAGEMENT
RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
RISK NEUTRAL
RISK PREMIUM
RISK REDUCTION
RISK SHARING
RISK TRANSFER
SAFETY
SAFETY NETS
SAVINGS
SCENARIOS
SMALL BUSINESSES
SOVEREIGN RISK
STATE GUARANTEES
STOCK DATA
STOCKS
STORM
SUSTAINABILITY
TAX
TAXATION
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
TRADE BALANCES
TRANSACTION
TRANSACTION COSTS
TROPICAL CYCLONES
UNCERTAINTIES
WEATHER DERIVATIVE
WEATHER EXTREMES
WIND SPEED
spellingShingle AGENTS
AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE
ALLOCATION
BANK CREDIT
BASIS POINTS
BUDGET CONSTRAINT
BUDGET DEFICIT
CAPITAL MOVEMENTS
CAPITAL STOCK
CATASTROPHE BOND
CATASTROPHE BONDS
CATASTROPHE INSURANCE
CATASTROPHE REINSURANCE
CATASTROPHES
CATASTROPHIC EVENT
CATASTROPHIC EVENTS
CATASTROPHIC LOSS
CATASTROPHIC RISKS
CENTRAL BANK
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH ON THE EPIDEMIOLOGY
CLEAN ENVIRONMENT
CLIMATE
CLIMATE CHANGE
CLIMATE EXTREMES
CLIMATE INSURANCE
CLIMATE INSURANCE INITIATIVE
CLIMATE VARIABILITY
COMMERCIAL BANKS
CONTINGENT DEBT
COST ESTIMATES
COSTS OF INSURANCE
COUNTRY DEBT
COUNTRY RISK
CRED
CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
CREDIT MARKETS
CREDIT POLICY
CURRENCY UNITS
DAMAGES
DEBT
DEBT ISSUES
DEFICIT FINANCING
DEVASTATION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRY
DEVELOPMENT BANK
DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
DISASTER
DISASTER AID
DISASTER EVENT
DISASTER EVENTS
DISASTER INSURANCE
DISASTER PRONE COUNTRIES
DISASTER RELIEF
DISASTER RISK
DISASTER RISK FINANCING
DISASTER RISKS
DISASTERS
DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME
DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO
DOMESTIC BOND
DOMESTIC BONDS
DOMESTIC CREDIT
DOMESTIC FINANCIAL MARKETS
DOMESTIC GOVERNMENT BONDS
DONOR COMMUNITY
DROUGHT
EARTHQUAKE
EARTHQUAKES
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC IMPACTS
ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
ECONOMIC WELFARE
EXPENDITURE
EXPENDITURES
EXTERNAL CREDIT
EXTERNAL DEBT
EXTERNAL FINANCE
EXTREME DROUGHT
EXTREME EVENT
EXTREME EVENTS
EXTREME VALUE STATISTICS
EXTREME VALUE THEORY
EXTREME WEATHER
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
FAMINE
FARMERS
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FINANCIAL CAPACITY
FINANCIAL EXPOSURE
FINANCIAL FLOWS
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL NEEDS
FINANCIAL RESILIENCE
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
FINANCIAL RISKS
FINANCING SOURCES
FISCAL POLICY
FLOOD
FLOODING
FLOODS
FOREIGN CURRENCY
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES
GLOBAL CAPITAL
GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS
GOVERNMENT BONDS
GOVERNMENT BORROWING
GOVERNMENT BUDGET
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES
GOVERNMENT FINANCES
GOVERNMENT LIABILITIES
GOVERNMENT LIABILITY
GOVERNMENT REVENUES
GOVERNMENT SPENDING
GROSS NATIONAL INCOME
HEALTH CARE
HURRICANE
HURRICANES
IMPORTS
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
INCOME GROUPS
INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
INCREMENTAL COSTS
INDEBTEDNESS
INFLATION
INSTRUMENT
INSURANCE
INSURANCE ACTIVITIES
INSURANCE CONTRACT
INSURANCE COVER
INSURANCE FUNDS
INSURANCE INSTRUMENTS
INSURANCE POOLS
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
INSURANCE SYSTEM
INSURANCE SYSTEMS
INTEREST RATE
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL BONDS
INTERNATIONAL BORROWING
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKETS
INTERNATIONAL LENDING
INTERNATIONAL MARKET
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
INTERNATIONAL RESERVES
INVENTORY
INVESTING
INVESTMENT DECISIONS
INVESTMENT PROJECTS
LIQUIDITY
LOAN
LOCAL CURRENCY
LOSS FUNCTION
MACROECONOMIC POLICY
MACROECONOMIC RISK
MACROECONOMIC STABILITY
MARGINAL COST
MARKET FAILURE
MONEY SUPPLY
NATURAL DISASTER
NATURAL DISASTERS
NATURAL HAZARD
NATURAL HAZARDS
NEGOTIATIONS
NET LOSS
OPPORTUNITY COSTS
OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
PENSION
PORTFOLIOS
PREMIUM PAYMENT
PRESENT VALUE
PROBABILITY OF OCCURRENCE
PRODUCTIVITY
PROGRAMS
PUBLIC FINANCE
PUBLIC INVESTMENT
REINSURANCE
REINSURER
RELIEF
RESERVE
RESERVE FUND
RESERVE FUNDS
RESERVES
RETURN
RETURNS
RISK ASSESSMENT
RISK ASSESSMENTS
RISK AVERSION
RISK INSURANCE
RISK MANAGEMENT
RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
RISK NEUTRAL
RISK PREMIUM
RISK REDUCTION
RISK SHARING
RISK TRANSFER
SAFETY
SAFETY NETS
SAVINGS
SCENARIOS
SMALL BUSINESSES
SOVEREIGN RISK
STATE GUARANTEES
STOCK DATA
STOCKS
STORM
SUSTAINABILITY
TAX
TAXATION
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
TRADE BALANCES
TRANSACTION
TRANSACTION COSTS
TROPICAL CYCLONES
UNCERTAINTIES
WEATHER DERIVATIVE
WEATHER EXTREMES
WIND SPEED
Mechler, Reinhard
Hochrainer, Stefan
Pflug, Georg
Lotsch, Alexander
Williges, Keith
Assessing the Financial Vulnerability to Climate-Related Natural Hazards
geographic_facet The World Region
The World Region
relation Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5232
description National governments are key actors in managing the impacts of extreme weather events, yet many highly exposed developing countries -- faced with exhausted tax bases, high levels of indebtedness, and limited donor assistance -- have been unable to raise sufficient and timely capital to replace or repair damaged infrastructure and restore livelihoods after major disasters. Such financial vulnerability hampers development and exacerbates poverty. Based on the record of the past 30 years, this paper finds many developing countries, in particular small island states, to be highly financially vulnerable, and experiencing a resource gap (net disaster losses exceed all available financing sources) for events that occur with a probability of 2 percent or higher. This has three main implications. First, efforts to reduce risk need to be ramped-up to lessen the serious human and financial burdens. Second, contrary to the well-known Arrow-Lind theorem, there is a case for country risk aversion implying that disaster risks faced by some governments cannot be absorbed without major difficulty. Risk aversion entails the ex ante financing of losses and relief expenditure through calamity funds, regional insurance pools, or contingent credit arrangements. Third, financially vulnerable (and generally poor) countries are unlikely to be able to implement pre-disaster risk financing instruments themselves, and thus require technical and financial assistance from the donor community. The cost estimates of financial vulnerability -- based on today's climate -- inform the design of "climate insurance funds" to absorb high levels of sovereign risk and are found to be in the lower billions of dollars annually, which represents a baseline for the incremental costs arising from future climate change.
format Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper
author Mechler, Reinhard
Hochrainer, Stefan
Pflug, Georg
Lotsch, Alexander
Williges, Keith
author_facet Mechler, Reinhard
Hochrainer, Stefan
Pflug, Georg
Lotsch, Alexander
Williges, Keith
author_sort Mechler, Reinhard
title Assessing the Financial Vulnerability to Climate-Related Natural Hazards
title_short Assessing the Financial Vulnerability to Climate-Related Natural Hazards
title_full Assessing the Financial Vulnerability to Climate-Related Natural Hazards
title_fullStr Assessing the Financial Vulnerability to Climate-Related Natural Hazards
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the Financial Vulnerability to Climate-Related Natural Hazards
title_sort assessing the financial vulnerability to climate-related natural hazards
publishDate 2012
url http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20100303092429
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3718
_version_ 1764387979815550976
spelling okr-10986-37182021-04-23T14:02:12Z Assessing the Financial Vulnerability to Climate-Related Natural Hazards Mechler, Reinhard Hochrainer, Stefan Pflug, Georg Lotsch, Alexander Williges, Keith AGENTS AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE ALLOCATION BANK CREDIT BASIS POINTS BUDGET CONSTRAINT BUDGET DEFICIT CAPITAL MOVEMENTS CAPITAL STOCK CATASTROPHE BOND CATASTROPHE BONDS CATASTROPHE INSURANCE CATASTROPHE REINSURANCE CATASTROPHES CATASTROPHIC EVENT CATASTROPHIC EVENTS CATASTROPHIC LOSS CATASTROPHIC RISKS CENTRAL BANK CENTRE FOR RESEARCH ON THE EPIDEMIOLOGY CLEAN ENVIRONMENT CLIMATE CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE EXTREMES CLIMATE INSURANCE CLIMATE INSURANCE INITIATIVE CLIMATE VARIABILITY COMMERCIAL BANKS CONTINGENT DEBT COST ESTIMATES COSTS OF INSURANCE COUNTRY DEBT COUNTRY RISK CRED CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS CREDIT MARKETS CREDIT POLICY CURRENCY UNITS DAMAGES DEBT DEBT ISSUES DEFICIT FINANCING DEVASTATION DEVELOPING COUNTRIES DEVELOPING COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT BANK DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS DISASTER DISASTER AID DISASTER EVENT DISASTER EVENTS DISASTER INSURANCE DISASTER PRONE COUNTRIES DISASTER RELIEF DISASTER RISK DISASTER RISK FINANCING DISASTER RISKS DISASTERS DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO DOMESTIC BOND DOMESTIC BONDS DOMESTIC CREDIT DOMESTIC FINANCIAL MARKETS DOMESTIC GOVERNMENT BONDS DONOR COMMUNITY DROUGHT EARTHQUAKE EARTHQUAKES ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC GROWTH ECONOMIC IMPACTS ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE ECONOMIC WELFARE EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURES EXTERNAL CREDIT EXTERNAL DEBT EXTERNAL FINANCE EXTREME DROUGHT EXTREME EVENT EXTREME EVENTS EXTREME VALUE STATISTICS EXTREME VALUE THEORY EXTREME WEATHER EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS FAMINE FARMERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FINANCIAL CAPACITY FINANCIAL EXPOSURE FINANCIAL FLOWS FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FINANCIAL MARKETS FINANCIAL NEEDS FINANCIAL RESILIENCE FINANCIAL RESOURCES FINANCIAL RISKS FINANCING SOURCES FISCAL POLICY FLOOD FLOODING FLOODS FOREIGN CURRENCY FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES GLOBAL CAPITAL GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS GOVERNMENT BONDS GOVERNMENT BORROWING GOVERNMENT BUDGET GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES GOVERNMENT FINANCES GOVERNMENT LIABILITIES GOVERNMENT LIABILITY GOVERNMENT REVENUES GOVERNMENT SPENDING GROSS NATIONAL INCOME HEALTH CARE HURRICANE HURRICANES IMPORTS INCOME DISTRIBUTION INCOME GROUPS INCOME HOUSEHOLDS INCREMENTAL COSTS INDEBTEDNESS INFLATION INSTRUMENT INSURANCE INSURANCE ACTIVITIES INSURANCE CONTRACT INSURANCE COVER INSURANCE FUNDS INSURANCE INSTRUMENTS INSURANCE POOLS INSURANCE PREMIUMS INSURANCE SYSTEM INSURANCE SYSTEMS INTEREST RATE INTERNATIONAL BANK INTERNATIONAL BONDS INTERNATIONAL BORROWING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKETS INTERNATIONAL LENDING INTERNATIONAL MARKET INTERNATIONAL MARKETS INTERNATIONAL RESERVES INVENTORY INVESTING INVESTMENT DECISIONS INVESTMENT PROJECTS LIQUIDITY LOAN LOCAL CURRENCY LOSS FUNCTION MACROECONOMIC POLICY MACROECONOMIC RISK MACROECONOMIC STABILITY MARGINAL COST MARKET FAILURE MONEY SUPPLY NATURAL DISASTER NATURAL DISASTERS NATURAL HAZARD NATURAL HAZARDS NEGOTIATIONS NET LOSS OPPORTUNITY COSTS OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE PENSION PORTFOLIOS PREMIUM PAYMENT PRESENT VALUE PROBABILITY OF OCCURRENCE PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMS PUBLIC FINANCE PUBLIC INVESTMENT REINSURANCE REINSURER RELIEF RESERVE RESERVE FUND RESERVE FUNDS RESERVES RETURN RETURNS RISK ASSESSMENT RISK ASSESSMENTS RISK AVERSION RISK INSURANCE RISK MANAGEMENT RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS RISK NEUTRAL RISK PREMIUM RISK REDUCTION RISK SHARING RISK TRANSFER SAFETY SAFETY NETS SAVINGS SCENARIOS SMALL BUSINESSES SOVEREIGN RISK STATE GUARANTEES STOCK DATA STOCKS STORM SUSTAINABILITY TAX TAXATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TRADE BALANCES TRANSACTION TRANSACTION COSTS TROPICAL CYCLONES UNCERTAINTIES WEATHER DERIVATIVE WEATHER EXTREMES WIND SPEED National governments are key actors in managing the impacts of extreme weather events, yet many highly exposed developing countries -- faced with exhausted tax bases, high levels of indebtedness, and limited donor assistance -- have been unable to raise sufficient and timely capital to replace or repair damaged infrastructure and restore livelihoods after major disasters. Such financial vulnerability hampers development and exacerbates poverty. Based on the record of the past 30 years, this paper finds many developing countries, in particular small island states, to be highly financially vulnerable, and experiencing a resource gap (net disaster losses exceed all available financing sources) for events that occur with a probability of 2 percent or higher. This has three main implications. First, efforts to reduce risk need to be ramped-up to lessen the serious human and financial burdens. Second, contrary to the well-known Arrow-Lind theorem, there is a case for country risk aversion implying that disaster risks faced by some governments cannot be absorbed without major difficulty. Risk aversion entails the ex ante financing of losses and relief expenditure through calamity funds, regional insurance pools, or contingent credit arrangements. Third, financially vulnerable (and generally poor) countries are unlikely to be able to implement pre-disaster risk financing instruments themselves, and thus require technical and financial assistance from the donor community. The cost estimates of financial vulnerability -- based on today's climate -- inform the design of "climate insurance funds" to absorb high levels of sovereign risk and are found to be in the lower billions of dollars annually, which represents a baseline for the incremental costs arising from future climate change. 2012-03-19T18:38:33Z 2012-03-19T18:38:33Z 2010-03-01 http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20100303092429 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3718 English Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5232 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ World Bank Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper The World Region The World Region