Title: Decision analysis for climate change: development, equity and sustainability concerns

Authors: Ferenc L. Toth

Addresses: PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Pf. 601 203, D-14412 Potsdam, Germany

Abstract: A large variety of decision analytical frameworks has been used in climate change assessments in recent years to provide information for policy makers regarding the available strategic options, and associated gains and losses. Simultaneously, worries have mounted over implications of both climate change and climate mitigation for the broader concerns about development, equity and sustainability. The treatment of equity issues in climate change decision analysis and decision making is reviewed first. The overview finds a diversity of scientifically rigorous attempts as well as value-laden arguments in the social science literature. The ability of various decision analytical frameworks to treat equity concern in climate change analyses is assessed to reveal that, albeit to varying degrees, most approaches can incorporate equity issues in the analysis. A simple example of analysing climate policy implications of equity predicaments is presented by applying the so-called Tolerable Windows Approach.

Keywords: climate change; decision analysis; decision making; equity; sustainability; Tolerable Windows Approach.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2001.000979

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2001 Vol.1 No.2, pp.223-240

Published online: 18 Aug 2003 *

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