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The risk of climate ruin

Author

Listed:
  • Oliver Bettis
  • Simon Dietz
  • Nick Silver

Abstract

How large a risk is society prepared to run with the climate system? One perspective on this is to compare the risk that the world is running with the climate system, defined in terms of the risk of ‘climate ruin’, with the comparable risk that financial institutions, in particular insurance companies, are prepared or allowed to run with their own financial ruin. We conclude that, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions today and in the future, the world is running a higher risk with the climate system than financial institutions, in particular insurance companies, would usually run with their own solvency.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver Bettis & Simon Dietz & Nick Silver, 2015. "The risk of climate ruin," GRI Working Papers 217, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.
    • Handle: RePEc:lsg:lsgwps:wp217
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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