The transnational impacts of global climate change

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Climate risks to German foreign trade were examined for the first time in an UBA research project.
Source: Leon Forado / Fotolia

Climate change will affect the frequency, intensity and regional occurrence of extreme weather events and lead to gradual climatic changes. Although impacts appear locally at first, they spread beyond political borders due to the global physical and economic interconnectedness. A new UBA report provides an overview of the potential impact chains of global climate change on the German economy.

The project on behalf of the German Environment Agency (UBA) used a qualitative analysis to consider the influences of climate change on the German economy and then evaluated their relevance. Some impact chains were subsequently selected to be used in a global macroeconomic model that would investigate the exposure and relevance of climate change-induced disruptions. Lastly, adaptation strategies and measures were developed that would be suitable to be deployed against the most significant global effects.