Flexible Damage Functions

Author

James Rising, Sebastian Cadavid Sanchez, Climate Impact Lab

Published

April 30, 2026

0.1 Agriculture: Corn Country

Flexible damage function parameters at the Country level.

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

Outcome units: physical — log change in corn 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 (\(\gamma\)) 0.3129
Standard error 8.82e-03
95% CI [0.2956, 0.3302]
R-squared 0.5356
Observations 3,681,476
Regions 177
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: 0.312898, 177 rows (of 3,363 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 0.01384 0.01068 0.0113 0.0008007 0.07292 177
beta -0.002007 -0.001532 0.00171 -0.01073 0 177
rho 0.2027 0.204 0.065 0.03324 0.3986 177
zeta 0.005453 0.004442 0.003965 0.0009819 0.02488 177
eta 0.01101 0.008922 0.008432 0.001874 0.05311 177
rsqr1 0.1441 0.1439 0.06652 0.0001161 0.316 177
rsqr2 0.4995 0.5085 0.03781 0.3618 0.5669 177

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) 1 0.6%
T > 20°C (beyond graph) 0 0.0%
T < 0°C (negative crossing) 0 0.0%
Valid crossings (0-20°C) 176 99.4%
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)
0.3618 0.4863 0.5085 0.5216 0.5669

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 0.7854
Sum(η²) 0.0340
Sum(D²) at T=3.0°C 0.1583
N regions 177

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
AFG 0.0194 -0.00269 0.00871 0.316
PSE 0.0241 -0.00356 0.0102 0.309
JOR 0.0183 -0.00267 0.00798 0.298
BGD 0.0073 -0.00104 0.0359 0.00475
MAC 0.00236 -3.10e-4 0.0105 0.00707
BTN 0.00996 -0.00162 0.0234 0.0147
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: -0.0360 | RMSE: 0.847926 | Sign agreement: 41.2%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
KOR 0.303 0.303 -1.81e-4
EST 0.156 0.163 0.00703
NZL 0.164 0.146 -0.0175
DNK 0.144 0.126 -0.0183
JPN 0.208 0.175 -0.033
ZWE -0.124 2.43 2.55
EGY -0.905 1.17 2.08
MWI -0.0823 1.84 1.92
LBR 0.0495 1.84 1.79
DJI -0.214 1.55 1.76

Correlation: -0.1549 | RMSE: 0.740774 | Sign agreement: 39.0%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
KOR 0.231 0.229 -0.00234
DNK 0.118 0.115 -0.00266
LUX 0.131 0.138 0.00693
NZL 0.159 0.137 -0.0217
NLD 0.14 0.171 0.0311
SOM -0.176 1.9 2.08
EGY -0.848 0.91 1.76
PSE -0.489 1.15 1.64
DJI -0.635 0.98 1.62
ZWE -0.129 1.48 1.61

Correlation: -0.1186 | RMSE: 0.665112 | Sign agreement: 40.7%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
DNK 0.13 0.114 -0.0152
EST 0.13 0.147 0.0178
KOR 0.299 0.278 -0.0217
NZL 0.162 0.132 -0.0293
NLD 0.11 0.145 0.0356
ZWE -0.138 1.7 1.84
EGY -0.894 0.907 1.8
DJI -0.317 1.15 1.47
TKM -0.799 0.657 1.46
JOR -0.713 0.705 1.42

Correlation: -0.3032 | RMSE: 0.612079 | Sign agreement: 32.2%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
DNK 0.119 0.114 -0.00492
LUX 0.137 0.13 -0.00721
MAC 0.111 0.12 0.00897
NLD 0.139 0.164 0.0246
NZL 0.159 0.132 -0.0264
EGY -0.804 0.715 1.52
UZB -0.532 0.89 1.42
TKM -0.745 0.649 1.39
PSE -0.514 0.845 1.36
IRQ -0.868 0.491 1.36

Correlation: -0.2468 | RMSE: 0.683633 | Sign agreement: 42.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
EST 0.169 0.166 -0.00242
NLD 0.146 0.165 0.0182
AUT 0.103 0.125 0.0224
LUX 0.0769 0.102 0.0256
NZL 0.179 0.153 -0.026
EGY -0.83 1.15 1.98
ZWE -0.248 1.58 1.83
JOR -0.7 0.865 1.57
TKM -0.789 0.734 1.52
UZB -0.58 0.93 1.51

Correlation: -0.2210 | RMSE: 0.641877 | Sign agreement: 35.0%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 1.94°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
BRN 0.0696 0.0653 -0.00431
NLD 0.157 0.171 0.0137
DNK 0.13 0.114 -0.0152
LUX 0.157 0.136 -0.0206
EST 0.0955 0.131 0.0356
EGY -0.85 0.791 1.64
SOM -0.246 1.34 1.59
DJI -0.756 0.744 1.5
UZB -0.563 0.848 1.41
IRQ -0.886 0.498 1.38

Correlation: 0.0701 | RMSE: 1.213296 | Sign agreement: 35.6%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FIN 0.133 0.134 0.00145
TWN 0.335 0.33 -0.00451
DNK 0.165 0.171 0.00629
EST 0.16 0.192 0.0326
PRK 0.393 0.427 0.0338
EGY -1.94 1.38 3.32
ZWE -0.259 2.62 2.88
JOR -1.56 1.02 2.58
PSE -1.19 1.33 2.52
DJI -0.659 1.81 2.47

Correlation: -0.0668 | RMSE: 1.124352 | Sign agreement: 31.6%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FIN 0.123 0.131 0.00773
MAC 0.136 0.168 0.032
PRK 0.341 0.374 0.0331
DNK 0.121 0.157 0.0361
TWN 0.261 0.33 0.0696
EGY -1.77 1.07 2.84
SOM -0.471 2.21 2.68
PSE -1.18 1.33 2.51
IRQ -1.7 0.74 2.44
DJI -1.22 1.15 2.36

Correlation: -0.0439 | RMSE: 1.104087 | Sign agreement: 29.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
PRK 0.326 0.34 0.0138
TWN 0.258 0.297 0.0392
FIN 0.0828 0.123 0.0398
DNK 0.115 0.155 0.0401
MAC 0.204 0.156 -0.0486
EGY -1.92 1.07 2.99
JOR -1.67 0.825 2.5
PSE -1.4 0.977 2.37
TKM -1.65 0.694 2.34
SYR -1.61 0.692 2.31

Correlation: -0.2374 | RMSE: 1.016748 | Sign agreement: 26.0%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
PRK 0.301 0.302 0.00124
FIN 0.0939 0.122 0.0279
DNK 0.125 0.155 0.0295
TWN 0.253 0.297 0.0446
MAC 0.216 0.156 -0.0604
EGY -1.7 0.842 2.54
PSE -1.3 0.977 2.27
UZB -1.32 0.937 2.26
TKM -1.57 0.686 2.26
IRQ -1.68 0.558 2.24

Correlation: -0.1920 | RMSE: 1.119071 | Sign agreement: 29.4%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FIN 0.136 0.139 0.00326
DNK 0.18 0.177 -0.00366
BRN 0.232 0.219 -0.0132
TWN 0.317 0.343 0.0258
MAC 0.192 0.166 -0.0259
EGY -1.92 1.35 3.27
JOR -1.64 1.01 2.65
TKM -1.66 0.775 2.44
IRQ -1.79 0.622 2.41
DZA -1.56 0.835 2.4

Correlation: -0.1666 | RMSE: 1.088411 | Sign agreement: 23.7%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2098 · Tmean across these regions: 4.17°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
FIN 0.134 0.133 -8.62e-4
BRN 0.167 0.14 -0.0268
PRK 0.284 0.32 0.0369
DNK 0.115 0.156 0.041
KOR 0.376 0.284 -0.0922
EGY -1.82 0.932 2.75
JOR -1.6 0.727 2.33
IRQ -1.73 0.567 2.3
PSE -1.38 0.9 2.28
UZB -1.38 0.892 2.27
Note · countries with no corn data (shown white on every map above; the GCP corn pipeline does not run sims for non-producing countries): ABW, AIA, ALA, AND, ARE, ASM, ATA, ATF, BES, BHR, BLM, BMU, BVT, CCK, CL-, COK, CUW, CXR, CYM, CYP, ESH, FLK, FRO, FSM, GBR, GGY, GIB, GLP, GNQ, GRL, HMD, IMN, IOT, IRL, ISL, JEY, KIR, KNA, LCA, LIE, MAF, MCO, MDV, MHL, MLT, MTQ, MYT, NFK, NIU, Norway, NRU, OMN, PCN, PLW, PYF, QAT, SGS, SHN, SJM, SLB, SMX, SP-, SPM, SWE, SYC, TCA, TKL, TON, TUN, TUV, UMI, VAT, VGB, VIR, WLF, WSM.

10.1 Scenario Summary

Table 7: Fit statistics across all 12 scenarios
RCP SSP Model N Corr RMSE Sign%
rcp45 SSP2 high 177 -0.036 0.847926 41.2%
rcp45 SSP2 low 177 -0.1549 0.740774 39.0%
rcp45 SSP3 high 177 -0.1186 0.665112 40.7%
rcp45 SSP3 low 177 -0.3032 0.612079 32.2%
rcp45 SSP4 high 177 -0.2468 0.683633 42.9%
rcp45 SSP4 low 177 -0.221 0.641877 35.0%
rcp85 SSP2 high 177 0.0701 1.2133 35.6%
rcp85 SSP2 low 177 -0.0668 1.12435 31.6%
rcp85 SSP3 high 177 -0.0439 1.10409 29.9%
rcp85 SSP3 low 177 -0.2374 1.01675 26.0%
rcp85 SSP4 high 177 -0.192 1.11907 29.4%
rcp85 SSP4 low 177 -0.1666 1.08841 23.7%

11 Data Reference

11.1 File Locations

Item Path
Regional CSV /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/agriculture__corn_country__regional_parameters.csv
Global JSON /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/agriculture__corn_country__global_results.json
Metadata JSON /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/agriculture__corn_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