The Role of Economic Policy in Climate Change Adaptation

This article assesses the role of the public sector in adaptation to climate change. We first offer a definition and categorization of climate change adaptation. We then consider the primary economic principles that can guide the assignment of adaptation tasks to either the private or the public sector, as well as those guiding assignment within the public sector itself. We find that the role of the state in adaptation policy is limited. We identify information policy, the provision of a suitable regulatory framework in some markets, the formation of human capital and policies fostering economic growth, as well as technological and medical knowledge as the main areas in which the public sector has a role in climate change adaptation. (JEL classification numbers: H54, Q54, Q58)