Cost of Inaction

Economic impact projections and Expected Annual Loss (EAL) calculations

Current Annual Loss

$230.5M

2024 baseline estimate

Projected Loss (2050)

$700.0M

Under SSP2-4.5

+204%

Projected Loss (2100)

$1750.0M

Under SSP2-4.5

GDP Impact (2100)

9.2%

Projected GDP loss

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) Calculation

EAL = Σ (Probabilityi × Lossi)

Sum of losses weighted by their probability of occurrence across all hazard events

10-yr Flood EAL

$32M/year

50-yr Flood EAL

$11.6M/year

Heat Stress EAL

$42M/year

Sea Level EAL

$18M/year

Annual Loss Projections by Scenario ($M)

Total economic losses under different climate scenarios

Current Losses by Sector ($M)

Direct vs Indirect Losses ($M)

Sector Impact Details (2024 Baseline)

SectorDirect LossIndirect LossTotal LossGDP ImpactJobs Affected
infrastructure
$45.0M$22.5M$67.5M0.8%12,000
health
$18.0M$35.0M$53.0M0.6%0
agriculture
$12.0M$8.0M$20.0M0.2%8,500
tourism
$8.0M$15.0M$23.0M0.3%5,200
transport
$25.0M$42.0M$67.0M0.8%3,800
Total$108.0M$122.5M$230.5M2.7%29,500

Cumulative Economic Impact Warning

SSP2-4.5 (Medium Emissions)
  • • By 2050: ~$8-10 billion cumulative losses
  • • By 2100: ~$35-45 billion cumulative losses
  • • 180,000 jobs at risk by 2100
SSP5-8.5 (High Emissions)
  • • By 2050: ~$12-15 billion cumulative losses
  • • By 2100: ~$70-90 billion cumulative losses
  • • 350,000 jobs at risk by 2100

Economic Impact Methodology

Direct Losses: Physical damage to buildings, infrastructure, crops, equipment

Indirect Losses: Business interruption, supply chain disruption, healthcare costs, lost productivity

GDP Impact: Based on sector contribution to regional GDP and climate damage functions

Discount Rate: 3% annual discount rate applied for NPV calculations