Flexible Damage Functions

Author

James Rising, Sebastian Cadavid Sanchez, Climate Impact Lab

Published

April 30, 2026

0.1 Agriculture: Cassava Country

Flexible damage function parameters at the Country level.

Change in cassava yields (log change in yields) under full adaptation

Outcome units: physical — log change in cassava yield (population-weighted to country)

\[D_{it} = (\alpha_i T_t + \beta_i T_t^2) \cdot Y_{it}^{\gamma}\]

where \(\gamma\) is the income elasticity (fitted globally), \(\alpha_i\) is the linear coefficient, and \(\beta_i\) is the quadratic coefficient.


1 Global Estimation

1.1 Income Elasticity Estimation

The income elasticity \(\gamma\) is estimated using a fixed-effects regression:

\[y_{it} = \gamma \cdot \log(Y_{it}) + \mu_{g(i,T)} + \nu_t + \varepsilon_{it}\]

where \(\mu_{g(i,T)}\) are region-by-temperature-bin fixed effects and \(\nu_t\) are year fixed effects.

Table 1: Income Elasticity (Gamma) Estimation Results
Statistic Value
Income elasticity (\(\gamma\)) 0.0272
Standard error 4.92e-03
95% CI [0.0176, 0.0369]
R-squared 0.5994
Observations 39,622,666
Regions 127
Gamma quantiles 19

2 Parameter Distributions

2.1 8-Panel Summary

Row 1: gamma, alpha, beta, rsqr1. Row 2: rho, zeta, eta, rsqr2.

Using median gamma: 0.027248, 127 rows (of 2,413 total)
Figure 1: Distribution of Regional Parameters

2.2 Projection Equation and Parameter Definitions

The estimated parameters are used to project damages via Monte Carlo sampling:

\[D_{it}^k = (\hat{\alpha}_{ik} T_t + \hat{\beta}_{ik} T_t^2) Y_{it}^{\hat{\gamma}_k} + \hat{\theta}_{ik} T_t Y_{it}^{\hat{\gamma}_k} + \hat{\phi}_{it}^k\]

where \(k\) indexes the Monte Carlo draw. The parameters in each row of the output CSV control distinct components of this equation:

  • gamma: income elasticity \(\hat{\gamma}_k\), one of 19 quantile values drawn from \(N(\hat{\gamma}, SE(\hat{\gamma}))\)
  • alpha, beta: linear and quadratic temperature coefficients; \(\hat{\alpha}_{ik}\) and \(\hat{\beta}_{ik}\) are drawn from the joint normal defined by the VCV below
  • sigma11, sigma12, sigma22: variance-covariance matrix of \((\alpha, \beta)\), used for joint uncertainty sampling
  • rho: correlation between regional and global polynomial residuals \(\rho_i\), used to maintain spatial covariance across regions in Monte Carlo draws
  • zeta: temperature-dependent error scale \(\zeta_{ik}\); the run-specific error term \(\hat{\theta}_{ik}\) is drawn from \(N(0, \zeta_{ik})\)
  • eta: residual noise standard deviation \(\eta_{ik}\); the annual noise \(\hat{\phi}_{it}^k\) is drawn from \(N(0, \eta_{ik})\)
  • rsqr1, rsqr2: polynomial fit quality and error model fit, respectively

2.3 Summary Statistics

Table 2: Regional Parameter Summary
Parameter Mean Median Std Min Max N
alpha -0.07492 -0.08477 0.06785 -0.2556 0.1293 127
beta -0.003802 0 0.005254 -0.02683 0 127
rho 0.03549 0.0207 0.05196 -0.05921 0.2313 126
zeta 0.07702 0.07232 0.02864 0 0.1563 127
eta 0.1391 0.1287 0.056 0 0.2687 127
rsqr1 0.2039 0.1408 0.1772 0 0.5916 127
rsqr2 0.546 0.5625 0.07052 0 0.619 127

3 Spaghetti Curves

Regional damage function curves showing D(T) = αT + βT² for sampled regions.

Figure 2: Regional Damage Functions

4 Zero Crossings

The zero crossing (extremum) of the parabola occurs at \(T^* = -\alpha / (2\beta)\).

Table 3: Zero Crossing Statistics
Category Count Percentage
β = 0 (no crossing) 65 51.2%
T > 20°C (beyond graph) 0 0.0%
T < 0°C (negative crossing) 48 37.8%
Valid crossings (0-20°C) 14 11.0%
Figure 3: Distribution of Zero Crossing Temperatures

5 Slope Analysis

Maximum slope between 0 and 10°C: \(\frac{dM}{dT} = \alpha + 2\beta T\)

The maximum occurs at either T=0 or T=10 (endpoints of interval).

Figure 4: Distribution of Maximum Slopes (0-10°C)

Convexity analysis omitted (beta constraint active).


6 R-squared Analysis

6.1 Polynomial Fit Quality (rsqr1)

Figure 5: Regional Fit Quality (R-squared)

6.2 Error Model R-squared (rsqr2) Quantiles

Table 4: rsqr2 Quantiles
0% (Min) 25% 50% (Median) 75% 100% (Max)
0.0000 0.5189 0.5625 0.5904 0.6190

7 Modelled Variance

Modelled variance statistic: \(1 - \frac{\sum_i \eta_i^2}{\sum_i D_i^2}\)

Table 5: Modelled Variance Statistics
Statistic Value
Modelled variance 0.7805
Sum(η²) 2.8522
Sum(D²) at T=3.0°C 12.9942
N regions 127

8 Best- and Worst-Fitting Regions

The 3 worst- and 3 best-fitting regions by R-squared, with raw simulation data overlaid on the fitted polynomial curve. Red rows = worst fits, green rows = best fits.

Table 6: Best- and worst-fitting regions
Top 3 best fit (R²)   Top 3 worst fit (R²)
Region α β η
GRC -0.145 -0.0136 0.109 0.592
ESP -0.17 -0.0133 0.122 0.586
KAZ -0.0982 -0.00724 0.073 0.566
COM -0.0037 -0.00134 0.174 0.00153
BTN 0.0261 -0.00343 0.13 0.00543
STP 0.0153 -9.45e-4 0.104 0.00572
Figure 6: Fitted polynomial with raw data for worst-fitting regions

9 Regional Parameter Maps

Maps of key parameters at the country level. Red = negative (damage increases with T), Blue = positive.

9.1 Alpha (Linear Coefficient)

Alpha (\(\alpha\)) represents the linear sensitivity to temperature. Regions with negative alpha experience damage that increases with the first degree of warming.

Figure 7: α (linear coefficient)

9.2 Beta (Quadratic Coefficient)

Beta (\(\beta\)) represents the curvature of the damage function.

The concavity (\(\beta \leq 0\)) constraint is enforced for this sector, meaning optimal temperature exists, damages accelerate beyond it.

Figure 8: β (quadratic coefficient)

9.3 R-squared (Fit Quality)

\(R^2\) measures the polynomial fit quality. Higher values indicate that the quadratic form captures more of the variance in the data.

Figure 9: R² (stage 1 fit quality)

10 F2: Flex vs Raw Comparison

Comparison of flexible damage function predictions against raw simulation means.

For each scenario (RCP × SSP × Model), we compute at the final year:

  • Flex predicted: \((\alpha \cdot T + \beta \cdot T^2) \cdot Y^\gamma\)
  • Raw actual: The outcome variable (y) from the source data

Year 2098: 1,457,280 rows

Correlation: 0.7075 | RMSE: 0.135804 | Sign agreement: 91.3%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
NGA -0.0419 -0.0422 -3.30e-4
PRI -0.555 -0.553 0.00139
KEN -0.0853 -0.0832 0.002
BRB -0.569 -0.565 0.00435
SOM 0.0324 -0.305 -0.338
LCA -0.0965 -0.434 -0.337
TGO -0.0502 -0.382 -0.332
HND -0.0836 -0.373 -0.289
GRD -0.0679 -0.326 -0.259

Correlation: 0.8567 | RMSE: 0.094995 | Sign agreement: 94.5%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
KEN -0.0794 -0.0818 -0.00241
VNM 0.0131 0.0086 -0.00445
BTN 0.0438 0.0511 0.00727
TCD -0.106 -0.115 -0.00836
SOM -0.0905 -0.313 -0.222
CAF 0.0168 -0.203 -0.22
SLV -0.203 -0.423 -0.219
ISR -0.884 -0.67 0.215
GIN -0.0931 -0.276 -0.183

Correlation: 0.8481 | RMSE: 0.107234 | Sign agreement: 90.6%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
GRC -0.451 -0.452 -6.33e-4
PRK -0.0689 -0.0705 -0.00163
BRB -0.552 -0.554 -0.00186
RUS -0.204 -0.208 -0.00326
TGO -0.033 -0.366 -0.333
GRD -0.0878 -0.32 -0.232
CAF 0.0257 -0.201 -0.226
LCA -0.2 -0.424 -0.224
HND -0.14 -0.361 -0.221

Correlation: 0.7657 | RMSE: 0.120098 | Sign agreement: 94.5%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
ZAF -0.306 -0.306 3.97e-4
AGO -0.0529 -0.0525 4.09e-4
PRY -0.245 -0.244 9.19e-4
BRB -0.554 -0.552 0.00154
GNB -0.653 -0.182 0.471
GIN -0.685 -0.259 0.425
CIV -0.643 -0.249 0.394
TTO -0.255 -0.623 -0.368
BFA -0.618 -0.254 0.364

Correlation: 0.7876 | RMSE: 0.108907 | Sign agreement: 92.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
MAC -0.166 -0.165 4.52e-4
PSE -0.414 -0.42 -0.00567
NCL -0.158 -0.152 0.00582
PRT -0.546 -0.54 0.00596
SOM -0.697 -0.278 0.419
TTO -0.257 -0.624 -0.367
BRB -0.229 -0.565 -0.336
PRI -0.274 -0.554 -0.281
LCA -0.164 -0.434 -0.269

Correlation: 0.9301 | RMSE: 0.067595 | Sign agreement: 92.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
NPL 0.196 0.196 3.24e-4
SLB -0.0304 -0.0297 6.96e-4
SMR -0.237 -0.238 -8.25e-4
IND -0.0569 -0.056 9.32e-4
SOM -0.0682 -0.303 -0.235
MMR -0.357 -0.183 0.174
ISR -0.818 -0.665 0.153
ZWE -0.115 -0.263 -0.148
LKA 0.105 -0.0323 -0.137

Correlation: 0.8506 | RMSE: 0.186660 | Sign agreement: 95.3%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
HKG -0.409 -0.41 -9.52e-4
COD -0.176 -0.168 0.00815
VNM -0.156 -0.166 -0.0103
MAC -0.344 -0.356 -0.0114
LCA -0.418 -0.932 -0.514
TGO -0.314 -0.821 -0.507
SOM -0.168 -0.656 -0.488
SLV -0.495 -0.917 -0.422
HND -0.402 -0.8 -0.399

Correlation: 0.9136 | RMSE: 0.149750 | Sign agreement: 93.7%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
RUS -0.546 -0.539 0.00651
PER -0.592 -0.585 0.00695
JOR -0.466 -0.476 -0.0103
TLS -0.267 -0.278 -0.0107
CAF 0.0287 -0.436 -0.465
SOM -0.253 -0.672 -0.419
TGO -0.36 -0.779 -0.419
SLV -0.495 -0.908 -0.413
BLZ -0.534 -0.833 -0.299

Correlation: 0.9247 | RMSE: 0.157691 | Sign agreement: 96.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
KEN -0.171 -0.173 -0.00246
SSD -0.203 -0.199 0.00356
TUR -0.851 -0.856 -0.00543
PNG -0.143 -0.157 -0.0137
TGO -0.199 -0.786 -0.587
ISR -0.951 -1.45 -0.501
CAF 0.00449 -0.431 -0.435
LCA -0.52 -0.911 -0.39
TTO -0.955 -1.32 -0.365

Correlation: 0.7881 | RMSE: 0.230749 | Sign agreement: 98.4%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
IDN -0.226 -0.226 1.35e-5
GRD -0.681 -0.68 2.13e-4
IND -0.232 -0.232 -2.26e-4
REU -0.0178 -0.0188 -0.00104
GIN -1.34 -0.557 0.778
TTO -0.644 -1.34 -0.696
GNB -1.08 -0.39 0.691
TGO -1.4 -0.745 0.654
CIV -1.14 -0.535 0.604

Correlation: 0.8429 | RMSE: 0.194028 | Sign agreement: 96.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
LAO 0.0306 0.0293 -0.0013
PRK -0.211 -0.208 0.0033
MTQ -0.575 -0.569 0.00607
GLP -0.587 -0.593 -0.00643
SOM -1.63 -0.596 1.03
TTO -0.633 -1.34 -0.709
BRB -0.595 -1.21 -0.619
MMR -1.03 -0.419 0.612
ISR -0.941 -1.47 -0.529

Correlation: 0.9529 | RMSE: 0.106219 | Sign agreement: 100.0%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FJI 0 0 0
IDN -0.224 -0.225 -0.00114
PAN -0.421 -0.419 0.00179
BDI -0.0327 -0.0307 0.00207
SSD -0.196 -0.198 -0.00281
MMR -1.01 -0.419 0.592
SOM -0.289 -0.652 -0.363
BFA -0.835 -0.554 0.28
FRA -1.1 -0.907 0.195
MAR -0.914 -1.1 -0.187
Note · countries with no cassava data (shown white on every map above; the GCP cassava pipeline does not run sims for non-producing countries): ABW, AFG, AIA, ALA, AND, ARE, ARM, ASM, ATA, ATF, Australia, AZE, BEL, BES, BHR, BIH, BLM, BLR, BMU, BVT, BWA, CA-, Canada, CCK, CL-, COK, CUW, CXR, CYP, CZE, Germany, DJI, DNK, DZA, EGY, ESH, EST, FIN, FLK, FRO, FSM, GBR, GEO, GGY, GIB, GRL, GUM, HMD, HRV, HUN, IMN, IOT, IRL, IRN, Iraq, ISL, JEY, JPN, KIR, KNA, KO-, KOR, KWT, LBN, LBY, LIE, LSO, LTU, LUX, LVA, MAF, MCO, MDA, MDV, MHL, MKD, MLT, MNE, MNP, MSR, MYT, NFK, NIU, NLD, Norway, NRU, NZL, OMN, PCN, PLW, POL, PYF, QAT, ROU, SGP, SGS, SHN, SJM, SMX, SP-, SPM, SRB, SVK, SVN, SWE, SWZ, SYC, SYR, TCA, TJK, TKL, TKM, TON, TUN, TUV, TWN, Ukraine, UMI, United States, UZB, VAT, VGB, VIR, VUT, WLF, WSM.

10.1 Scenario Summary

Table 7: Fit statistics across all 12 scenarios
RCP SSP Model N Corr RMSE Sign%
rcp45 SSP2 high 127 0.7075 0.135804 91.3%
rcp45 SSP2 low 127 0.8567 0.094995 94.5%
rcp45 SSP3 high 127 0.8481 0.107234 90.6%
rcp45 SSP3 low 127 0.7657 0.120098 94.5%
rcp45 SSP4 high 127 0.7876 0.108907 92.9%
rcp45 SSP4 low 127 0.9301 0.067595 92.9%
rcp85 SSP2 high 127 0.8506 0.18666 95.3%
rcp85 SSP2 low 127 0.9136 0.14975 93.7%
rcp85 SSP3 high 127 0.9247 0.157691 96.9%
rcp85 SSP3 low 127 0.7881 0.230749 98.4%
rcp85 SSP4 high 127 0.8429 0.194028 96.9%
rcp85 SSP4 low 127 0.9529 0.106219 100.0%

11 Data Reference

11.1 File Locations

Item Path
Regional CSV /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/agriculture__cassava_country__regional_parameters.csv
Global JSON /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/agriculture__cassava_country__global_results.json
Metadata JSON /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/agriculture__cassava_country__metadata.json

11.2 Column Definitions

Column Description
region Region identifier (hierarchical code, first 3 chars = country ISO3)
gamma Income elasticity quantile value
alpha Linear temperature coefficient
beta Quadratic temperature coefficient
sigma11 Var(alpha)
sigma12 Cov(alpha, beta)
sigma22 Var(beta)
rho Correlation with global residual process
zeta Temperature-dependent heteroskedasticity
eta Residual standard deviation
rsqr1 R-squared of polynomial fit
rsqr2 R-squared of error model

Report generated with FlexDamage v1.0.0