The costs to developing countries of adapting to climate change : new methods and estimates : the global report of the economics of adaptation to climate change study : consultation draft

This study estimates that over the next 40 years, global net annual adaptation costs for municipal and industrial water supply will be between US$ 10.0 billion (€ 6.8 billion) (wetter scenario) and US$ 11.1 billion (€ 7.5 billion) (drier scenario). In both scenarios, Sub-Saharan Africa will have to pay nearly two-thirds of these costs. Global adaptation costs for water supply and sanitation infrastructure were estimated to be US$ 700 million (€ 475 million) per year. Average annual adaptation costs in the health sector for diarrhoea and malaria prevention and treatment lie in a narrow range of US$ 1.3–1.6 billion (€ 0.88-1.1 billion) a year over the 40-year period 2010–50. The report suggests that a large share of the costs of adaptation in the water supply and flood protection sector could be avoided by adopting better management and water tariff policies. One important lesson is that development is the most powerful form of adaptation.