Flexible Damage Functions

Author

James Rising, Sebastian Cadavid Sanchez, Climate Impact Lab

Published

April 30, 2026

0.1 Labor: High Risk

Flexible damage function parameters at the Impact Region level.

Outcome units: portion — dimensionless fraction of high-risk-worker labor productivity, rebased to 2005 baseline (negative = productivity loss)

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

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 (\(\gamma\)) -0.0904
Standard error 2.76e-03
95% CI [-0.0958, -0.0850]
R-squared 0.9899
Observations 24,958,476
Regions 24,326
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: -0.090407, 24,326 rows (of 462,194 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 0.4463 1.712 3.677 -14.39 7.243 24,326
beta -0.8643 -0.8976 0.4693 -2.58 0 24,326
rho 0.2357 0.259 0.2344 -0.5334 0.7684 24,326
zeta 0.2897 0.2246 0.1873 0.06101 1.152 24,326
eta 0.4539 0.3461 0.2878 0.09543 1.836 24,326
rsqr1 0.9443 0.9699 0.05972 0.2442 0.994 24,326
rsqr2 0.605 0.6154 0.0425 0.4107 0.7047 24,326

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) 475 2.0%
T > 20°C (beyond graph) 670 2.8%
T < 0°C (negative crossing) 7448 30.6%
Valid crossings (0-20°C) 15733 64.7%
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)
0.4107 0.5818 0.6154 0.6350 0.7047

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 0.9987
Sum(η²) 7027.1813
Sum(D²) at T=3.0°C 5273878.7233
N regions 24,326

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
SAU.13 -8.17 -0.876 0.578 0.994
SAU.11 -8.28 -1.03 0.599 0.994
SAU.7 -11.5 -0.789 0.729 0.994
TJK.4.55.R1c84fc3ed8a58dc0 1.64 -0.453 0.608 0.244
TJK.4.50.R03ddff90a72252ef 1.96 -0.583 0.513 0.485
AUS.4.146 1.91 -0.451 0.3 0.495
Figure 6: Fitted polynomial with raw data for worst-fitting regions

9 Regional Parameter Maps

Maps of key parameters at the impact region 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 2099: 292,536 rows

Correlation: 0.9687 | RMSE: 1.853990 | Sign agreement: 89.5%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
ARG.8.250 -0.0814 -0.0812 2.05e-4
CHN.10.99.686 -0.291 -0.29 6.94e-4
USA.47.2937 -0.142 -0.141 7.60e-4
SOM.15.R81e688281ce6861c -2.49 -2.49 -7.82e-4
BRA.13.1803.3637 -0.747 -0.748 -8.94e-4
MEX.16.832 -3.67 -10.4 -6.69
MEX.16.805 -3.33 -9.99 -6.66
MEX.12.389 -3.4 -10 -6.62
AUS.5.341 -3.81 -10.4 -6.56
AUS.11.1294 -3.72 -10.3 -6.56

Correlation: 0.9616 | RMSE: 1.851392 | Sign agreement: 86.2%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
BGD.6.23.64.439 -0.762 -0.762 -3.18e-5
USA.42.2373 -0.158 -0.159 -1.33e-4
CHN.13.143.971 -0.671 -0.671 2.16e-4
ZAF.5.R581b58be022df90b -0.474 -0.474 -2.27e-4
PNG.16.69 -0.349 -0.348 2.63e-4
AUS.11.1294 -3.31 -10.1 -6.8
AUS.5.341 -3.41 -10.2 -6.8
AUS.5.397 -3.7 -10.5 -6.76
AUS.5.335 -3.73 -10.5 -6.72
MEX.16.832 -3.96 -10.6 -6.68

Correlation: 0.9737 | RMSE: 1.762152 | Sign agreement: 88.8%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
BRA.25.4656.8953 -0.96 -0.96 1.38e-5
CHN.10.90.562 -0.439 -0.439 -3.05e-5
MEX.21.R9459688499a797be -0.499 -0.499 -3.30e-5
USA.42.2373 -0.162 -0.163 -5.15e-4
PHL.66.1370 -0.762 -0.763 -5.28e-4
MEX.16.805 -4.46 -10.9 -6.46
AUS.5.341 -4.24 -10.7 -6.42
MEX.12.389 -4.53 -10.9 -6.42
AUS.11.1294 -4.15 -10.6 -6.41
MEX.16.832 -4.9 -11.3 -6.41

Correlation: 0.9642 | RMSE: 1.805645 | Sign agreement: 91.4%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
ETH.3.18.120 -0.587 -0.587 4.50e-5
USA.47.2890 -0.148 -0.148 2.28e-4
CHN.6.54.328 -0.259 -0.259 3.97e-4
ARG.6.210 -0.073 -0.0734 -4.40e-4
BRA.17.3341.6453 -0.479 -0.48 -4.99e-4
MEX.16.805 -3.91 -10.6 -6.72
MEX.16.832 -4.32 -11 -6.69
MEX.12.389 -3.98 -10.7 -6.68
AUS.5.341 -4.01 -10.6 -6.62
AUS.11.1294 -3.96 -10.5 -6.57

Correlation: 0.9487 | RMSE: 1.848899 | Sign agreement: 88.1%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
CHN.12.120.829 -0.365 -0.365 -1.75e-4
MWI.1 -1.38 -1.38 -5.29e-4
CHN.1.1.7 -0.415 -0.414 5.86e-4
CHN.7.70.411 -0.364 -0.364 6.01e-4
CHN.12.128.896 -0.422 -0.422 6.10e-4
AUS.5.341 -3.23 -10.1 -6.89
MEX.16.832 -3.46 -10.3 -6.88
AUS.5.397 -3.5 -10.4 -6.87
AUS.11.1294 -3.16 -10 -6.86
AUS.5.335 -3.52 -10.4 -6.84

Correlation: 0.9644 | RMSE: 1.799158 | Sign agreement: 87.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
BRA.5.243.R809f56e0ccbf17cc -0.737 -0.737 -7.13e-5
CHN.6.43.270 -0.362 -0.361 1.07e-4
BGD.3.13.34.230 -1.29 -1.29 1.95e-4
MMR.11.38.180 -1.44 -1.44 -2.30e-4
MDG.4.13.60 -1.41 -1.41 -2.32e-4
AUS.5.341 -3.26 -10.2 -6.91
AUS.5.397 -3.55 -10.4 -6.86
AUS.11.1294 -3.21 -10.1 -6.86
AUS.5.335 -3.58 -10.4 -6.83
AUS.5.392 -3.35 -10.1 -6.72

Correlation: 0.9558 | RMSE: 4.444388 | Sign agreement: 87.6%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
ARG.1.92 -0.422 -0.421 7.03e-4
BDI.17 -1.49 -1.49 0.00109
USA.35.2038 -0.707 -0.708 -0.00131
TZA.3.12 -0.836 -0.835 0.0016
AUS.11.1263 -0.48 -0.477 0.00216
MEX.16.812 -9.17 -23.9 -14.7
MEX.16.R6e9a36a04746875e -10.1 -24.8 -14.7
MEX.16.832 -12.3 -26.7 -14.4
MEX.17.892 -8.12 -22.4 -14.3
AUS.5.397 -10.6 -24.7 -14.1

Correlation: 0.9531 | RMSE: 4.367181 | Sign agreement: 88.8%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
AFG.11.R8c077254fc886fac -1.29 -1.29 -5.27e-4
AUS.11.1263 -0.471 -0.47 7.10e-4
AUS.11.1354 -0.473 -0.472 8.37e-4
AGO.9.75 -1.53 -1.54 -0.00116
FRA.93.13 -0.871 -0.87 0.00165
AUS.5.397 -9.63 -24.3 -14.7
AUS.5.341 -8.88 -23.5 -14.6
AUS.5.335 -9.7 -24.3 -14.6
AUS.5.392 -9.42 -23.9 -14.5
MEX.16.R6e9a36a04746875e -11 -25.5 -14.5

Correlation: 0.9660 | RMSE: 4.312093 | Sign agreement: 93.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
BRA.24.4496.8714 -0.842 -0.842 1.81e-4
AUS.11.1280 -0.332 -0.332 -2.74e-4
RUS.63.1660.1777 -0.567 -0.567 3.34e-4
FRA.73.46 -1.07 -1.07 -9.41e-4
CHN.4.28.182 -0.463 -0.465 -0.00145
AUS.5.397 -10.9 -25.4 -14.5
AUS.5.341 -10.1 -24.5 -14.4
AUS.5.335 -11 -25.4 -14.4
AUS.5.392 -10.7 -25 -14.3
MEX.16.812 -11.8 -26.1 -14.3

Correlation: 0.9612 | RMSE: 4.158726 | Sign agreement: 91.7%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
USA.16.800 -0.469 -0.469 -6.83e-5
COL.25.839 -0.729 -0.729 4.23e-4
SWZ.1 -1.58 -1.58 5.40e-4
BRA.24.4396.8554 -0.807 -0.807 -6.15e-4
USA.15.710 -0.461 -0.46 6.50e-4
AUS.5.397 -11.1 -25.4 -14.2
AUS.5.341 -10.3 -24.4 -14.2
MEX.16.812 -11.2 -25.4 -14.1
MEX.16.R6e9a36a04746875e -12.2 -26.4 -14.1
AUS.5.335 -11.2 -25.3 -14.1

Correlation: 0.9443 | RMSE: 4.406007 | Sign agreement: 87.1%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
CHN.15.167.1135 -0.714 -0.714 7.75e-5
ARG.1.R8955ae8f5ff84b31 -0.48 -0.48 4.58e-4
HUN.5.43 -1.03 -1.03 6.53e-4
ITA.11.59 -1.06 -1.06 -7.44e-4
ZWE.3.6 -1.87 -1.88 -0.00102
MEX.16.R6e9a36a04746875e -9.92 -24.8 -14.8
MEX.16.812 -9 -23.8 -14.8
MEX.16.832 -12 -26.7 -14.7
AUS.5.397 -9.6 -24.1 -14.5
BRA.12.1455.Rc7d703ec4e59fe1c -15.6 -30.2 -14.5

Correlation: 0.9608 | RMSE: 4.049769 | Sign agreement: 93.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
YEM.21.R2fad8869d06b6ebe -0.748 -0.748 -1.92e-5
RUS.39.888.888 -0.568 -0.567 2.34e-4
ETH.8.36.282 -1.05 -1.05 -6.95e-4
JPN.13.R3de67eb3c3135de9 -0.377 -0.378 -7.03e-4
USA.14.645 -0.308 -0.307 0.00115
AUS.5.397 -9.85 -24.2 -14.4
AUS.5.341 -9.06 -23.4 -14.3
AUS.5.335 -9.94 -24.2 -14.3
AUS.5.392 -9.61 -23.8 -14.2
AUS.11.1294 -9.53 -23.6 -14.1

10.1 Scenario Summary

Table 7: Fit statistics across all 12 scenarios
RCP SSP Model N Corr RMSE Sign%
rcp45 SSP2 high 24,326 0.9687 1.85399 89.5%
rcp45 SSP2 low 24,326 0.9616 1.85139 86.2%
rcp45 SSP3 high 24,326 0.9737 1.76215 88.8%
rcp45 SSP3 low 24,326 0.9642 1.80564 91.4%
rcp45 SSP4 high 24,326 0.9487 1.8489 88.1%
rcp45 SSP4 low 24,326 0.9644 1.79916 87.9%
rcp85 SSP2 high 24,326 0.9558 4.44439 87.6%
rcp85 SSP2 low 24,326 0.9531 4.36718 88.8%
rcp85 SSP3 high 24,326 0.966 4.31209 93.9%
rcp85 SSP3 low 24,326 0.9612 4.15873 91.7%
rcp85 SSP4 high 24,326 0.9443 4.40601 87.1%
rcp85 SSP4 low 24,326 0.9608 4.04977 93.9%

11 Data Reference

11.1 File Locations

Item Path
Regional CSV /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/labor__high_risk__regional_parameters.csv
Global JSON /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/labor__high_risk__global_results.json
Metadata JSON /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/labor__high_risk__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