Flexible Damage Functions

Author

James Rising, Sebastian Cadavid Sanchez, Climate Impact Lab

Published

April 30, 2026

0.1 Mortality: Allcause

Flexible damage function parameters at the Impact Region level.

Change in all-cause all-age mortality rate (deaths per 100,000) under full adaptation with adaptation costs

Outcome units: physical

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

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 (\(\gamma\)) -0.0001
Standard error 9.32e-06
95% CI [-0.0002, -0.0001]
R-squared 0.8995
Observations 29,118,222
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: -0.000145, 462,194 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 -0.0001467 -0.0001091 0.0002406 -0.001916 0.0004954 24,326
beta 4.611e-05 3.777e-05 4.38e-05 0 0.0003094 24,326
rho 0.1109 0.09693 0.3978 -0.8117 0.901 24,326
zeta 3.926e-05 2.835e-05 3.493e-05 4.177e-06 0.0003166 24,326
eta 5.812e-05 4.213e-05 5.21e-05 7.532e-06 0.0004405 24,326
rsqr1 0.6929 0.7475 0.2269 8.478e-07 0.9811 24,326
rsqr2 0.6206 0.6209 0.05553 0.2741 0.8509 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) 3758 15.4%
T > 20°C (beyond graph) 312 1.3%
T < 0°C (negative crossing) 4717 19.4%
Valid crossings (0-20°C) 15539 63.9%
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)
0.2741 0.5840 0.6209 0.6586 0.8509

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 0.9862
Sum(η²) 0.0001
Sum(D²) at T=3.0°C 0.0107
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
CAN.8.119.2375 -0.00152 3.88e-5 1.14e-4 0.98
CAN.8.119.2371 -0.00153 4.67e-5 1.13e-4 0.98
CAN.8.117.2350 -0.00128 3.49e-6 1.05e-4 0.979
IND.34.571.2234 -1.07e-5 1.67e-6 5.14e-5 0.00173
CHN.6.43.270 -1.74e-6 1.19e-7 1.47e-5 0.00205
CHL.5.16.90 -2.45e-5 5.54e-6 7.10e-5 0.00215
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 convexity (\(\beta \geq 0\)) constraint is enforced for this sector, meaning damages accelerate with warming (U-shaped response).

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: 390,048 rows

Correlation: 0.8921 | RMSE: 0.000204 | Sign agreement: 80.4%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
CAN.1.2.R286f00cd4d0da255 -9.99e-4 -9.99e-4 9.50e-9
VNM.5.45.R58c5fe0daffcaaac -1.00e-4 -1.00e-4 1.50e-8
CHN.20.222.1484 -2.75e-4 -2.75e-4 -2.99e-8
USA.27.1616 -4.84e-4 -4.84e-4 3.64e-8
IND.12.143.548 -3.57e-5 -3.58e-5 -3.68e-8
NPL.5.13.67 -0.00301 -8.71e-4 0.00214
NPL.4.10.50 -0.00288 -9.05e-4 0.00197
NPL.0.8.61 -0.00289 -9.61e-4 0.00193
NPL.4.10.51 -0.00229 -0.00101 0.00128
SDN.6.16.74.R329752b1f48ceaf7 1.82e-4 0.00143 0.00125

Correlation: 0.9441 | RMSE: 0.000145 | Sign agreement: 87.3%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
USA.14.620 2.70e-4 2.70e-4 1.42e-9
TUR.30.Rc103134224044484 -2.54e-4 -2.54e-4 1.89e-9
AUS.11.1258 5.79e-5 5.79e-5 -5.30e-9
USA.11.417 1.47e-4 1.47e-4 7.58e-9
THA.69.Rf8a4e129248153ca -8.65e-5 -8.65e-5 -8.75e-9
NPL.5.13.67 -0.00207 -8.71e-4 0.0012
NPL.4.10.50 -0.00199 -9.05e-4 0.00109
NPL.0.8.61 -0.00203 -9.61e-4 0.00107
RUS.65.1730.1847 -0.00184 -0.00291 -0.00107
RUS.65.1756.1873 -0.00176 -0.0028 -0.00105

Correlation: 0.9377 | RMSE: 0.000173 | 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
IND.20.278.1052 -1.62e-5 -1.61e-5 6.58e-9
CHN.6.58.348 -4.79e-5 -4.79e-5 -6.98e-9
USA.36.2088 1.04e-4 1.04e-4 1.04e-8
USA.5.231 1.24e-4 1.24e-4 1.24e-8
CAF.16.48 -5.39e-5 -5.39e-5 1.48e-8
RUS.65.1730.1847 -0.00175 -0.00291 -0.00116
RUS.65.1746.1863 -0.0019 -0.00306 -0.00115
RUS.65.1756.1873 -0.00169 -0.0028 -0.00111
SDN.6.16.74.R329752b1f48ceaf7 3.47e-4 0.00143 0.00108
SDN.6.15.72.223 3.67e-4 0.00145 0.00108

Correlation: 0.9766 | RMSE: 0.000136 | Sign agreement: 89.8%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
AUS.4.301 8.22e-5 8.22e-5 -3.81e-9
IND.31.462.1856 4.57e-5 4.57e-5 6.58e-9
CHN.32.338.2357 3.01e-4 3.01e-4 6.59e-9
AUS.7.923 5.67e-5 5.67e-5 6.79e-9
NGA.3.Reafb61eb6824cc26 7.31e-6 7.30e-6 -1.17e-8
CHN.29.305.2109 -0.00146 -0.0023 -8.38e-4
CHN.30.315.2167 -0.00179 -0.00258 -7.95e-4
SOM.1.R472bf830dca32de3 5.59e-4 0.00135 7.88e-4
CHN.30.315.2170 -0.00173 -0.00247 -7.40e-4
CHN.30.315.2173 -0.00157 -0.00229 -7.26e-4

Correlation: 0.9393 | RMSE: 0.000183 | Sign agreement: 91.2%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
CHN.6.58.346 -2.54e-5 -2.54e-5 -8.70e-10
USA.37.2184 1.94e-4 1.94e-4 -9.61e-10
GTM.3.Race4113e9b3a45b8 -2.38e-4 -2.38e-4 6.84e-9
USA.34.1897 1.14e-4 1.14e-4 -2.94e-8
AUS.4.234 5.98e-5 5.98e-5 3.10e-8
CHN.30.315.2167 -9.78e-4 -0.00258 -0.0016
CHN.30.318.2210.Rde47a34c1c843aec -9.48e-4 -0.00246 -0.00151
CHN.30.318.2205 -9.37e-4 -0.00244 -0.00151
CHN.30.315.2170 -9.66e-4 -0.00247 -0.0015
CHN.30.318.2202 -9.38e-4 -0.00243 -0.0015

Correlation: 0.9189 | RMSE: 0.000187 | Sign agreement: 90.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
MEX.15.720 4.19e-5 4.19e-5 1.09e-8
TUR.7.81 -3.94e-5 -3.94e-5 3.12e-8
IND.33.528.2113 1.84e-4 1.84e-4 -4.52e-8
USA.37.2206 2.11e-4 2.11e-4 -4.91e-8
KOR.14.196 2.91e-4 2.91e-4 -4.94e-8
CHN.30.315.2167 -0.00112 -0.00258 -0.00147
CHN.30.315.2170 -0.00109 -0.00247 -0.00137
CHN.30.318.2210.Rde47a34c1c843aec -0.0011 -0.00246 -0.00137
CHN.30.318.2205 -0.00109 -0.00244 -0.00136
CHN.30.318.2202 -0.00108 -0.00243 -0.00136

Correlation: 0.9464 | RMSE: 0.000147 | Sign agreement: 91.0%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
USA.23.1275 -8.73e-4 -8.73e-4 1.41e-8
USA.36.2126 1.43e-4 1.43e-4 -1.82e-8
RUS.36.Rde9c0ffef929e2fe -0.001 -0.001 2.14e-8
BRA.5.607.1064 -4.91e-4 -4.91e-4 -2.40e-8
BRA.6.660.R352f4b487c0ed565 -1.91e-4 -1.91e-4 2.49e-8
SOM.7.29 0.00274 0.00116 -0.00158
MMR.2.8.46 0.00193 4.31e-4 -0.0015
MMR.2.8.45 0.00193 4.42e-4 -0.00149
MMR.2.8.43 0.00175 3.75e-4 -0.00138
MMR.8.24.123 0.00172 3.43e-4 -0.00138

Correlation: 0.9577 | RMSE: 0.000150 | Sign agreement: 90.4%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 1.96°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
USA.2.90 -0.00144 -0.00144 3.97e-10
CHN.6.52.315 5.74e-5 5.74e-5 -1.12e-8
RUS.71.1950.2067 -5.14e-4 -5.14e-4 -1.49e-8
RUS.71.Rd4141f8ec808f5c1 -5.14e-4 -5.14e-4 -1.49e-8
USA.44.2652 -1.80e-5 -1.80e-5 5.58e-8
MMR.2.8.46 0.002 4.31e-4 -0.00157
MMR.2.8.45 0.00201 4.42e-4 -0.00157
MMR.8.24.123 0.00182 3.43e-4 -0.00148
MMR.11.42.201 0.00181 3.47e-4 -0.00146
MMR.2.8.43 0.00183 3.75e-4 -0.00145

No data for this scenario.

No data for this scenario.

No data for this scenario.

No data for this scenario.

Correlation: 0.9157 | RMSE: 0.000445 | Sign agreement: 92.7%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
USA.33.1885 3.84e-4 3.84e-4 -6.57e-9
VNM.2.16.149.1946 2.59e-4 2.59e-4 -1.45e-8
USA.5.202 2.78e-4 2.78e-4 1.97e-8
USA.34.1895 4.01e-4 4.01e-4 -3.64e-8
AUS.6.481 -1.30e-4 -1.30e-4 4.17e-8
SDN.6.16.74.R329752b1f48ceaf7 0.00262 0.00595 0.00333
SDN.6.15.72.223 0.00262 0.00593 0.00331
SDN.6.15.72.222 0.00261 0.0059 0.00329
SDN.6.16.74.227 0.00258 0.00587 0.00329
BFA.29 0.00149 0.0047 0.00321

Correlation: 0.9674 | RMSE: 0.000304 | Sign agreement: 94.7%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
AUS.11.1386 2.40e-4 2.40e-4 -1.71e-9
IDN.12.152 -2.15e-4 -2.15e-4 -8.13e-9
AUS.4.145 -1.70e-4 -1.70e-4 1.33e-8
AUS.4.132 2.17e-4 2.17e-4 1.61e-8
USA.36.2110 7.60e-4 7.60e-4 2.14e-8
SOM.1.R472bf830dca32de3 0.00269 0.00544 0.00275
SOM.7.29 0.0022 0.00459 0.0024
SOM.18.72 0.00231 0.00469 0.00238
MMR.11.42.201 9.92e-4 0.00308 0.00209
MMR.8.24.123 9.99e-4 0.00307 0.00207

Correlation: 0.9498 | RMSE: 0.000333 | Sign agreement: 92.9%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
USA.44.2694 3.92e-4 3.92e-4 7.86e-9
CMR.6.33 5.27e-5 5.27e-5 -3.42e-8
USA.44.2644 6.30e-4 6.31e-4 3.47e-8
COL.13.481 5.79e-4 5.79e-4 -3.91e-8
ZAF.1.71 -1.25e-4 -1.25e-4 5.05e-8
SOM.7.29 0.00688 0.0046 -0.00228
SOM.1.R472bf830dca32de3 0.00772 0.00544 -0.00228
CHN.30.318.2202 -0.00194 -0.00407 -0.00213
CHN.30.318.2205 -0.00186 -0.00398 -0.00211
CHN.30.318.2197 -0.00189 -0.00399 -0.0021

Correlation: 0.9256 | RMSE: 0.000490 | Sign agreement: 92.8%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
MMR.7.21.106 5.83e-4 5.83e-4 8.48e-9
AUS.4.181 6.54e-5 6.54e-5 1.34e-8
USA.10.384 8.22e-5 8.22e-5 -2.24e-8
AUS.10.1141 3.67e-4 3.67e-4 -3.44e-8
AUS.7.896 2.98e-4 2.98e-4 -4.05e-8
TCD.2.4.16 0.00848 0.00437 -0.00411
TCD.1.3 0.00752 0.00397 -0.00355
MRT.7.25 0.00809 0.00456 -0.00353
BFA.29 0.00821 0.0047 -0.00351
TCD.6.19 0.00694 0.00352 -0.00341

Correlation: 0.9330 | RMSE: 0.000401 | Sign agreement: 93.2%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
MDG.4.15.72 7.38e-4 7.38e-4 8.99e-9
USA.28.1732 9.83e-4 9.83e-4 1.21e-8
DZA.R9c0b07bee4871793 7.14e-4 7.14e-4 -3.22e-8
USA.28.1722 9.53e-4 9.53e-4 -6.12e-8
CHN.23.236.1554 7.89e-4 7.89e-4 6.73e-8
SOM.1.R472bf830dca32de3 0.0102 0.00545 -0.00475
SOM.7.29 0.00906 0.0046 -0.00447
SOM.18.72 0.00887 0.0047 -0.00418
MMR.8.24.123 0.00723 0.00307 -0.00416
MMR.11.42.201 0.00722 0.00309 -0.00414

Correlation: 0.9483 | RMSE: 0.000547 | Sign agreement: 93.7%

Top 5 best predicted   Top 5 worst predicted
Year 2099 · Tmean across these regions: 4.20°C
Region Raw Flex Residual
AUS.6.793 -2.58e-4 -2.58e-4 -4.20e-9
BRA.5.392.628 -7.48e-4 -7.48e-4 5.24e-9
CAN.3.64.1478 -0.00122 -0.00122 -5.63e-9
AUS.4.191 4.00e-4 4.00e-4 1.70e-8
AUS.6.517 -1.11e-4 -1.10e-4 3.50e-8
IRN.14.135 0.00929 0.00467 -0.00462
IRN.14.141 0.00925 0.00469 -0.00456
IRN.14.142 0.00919 0.0047 -0.00449
IRN.14.148 0.00912 0.00466 -0.00446
IRN.14.147 0.00882 0.00442 -0.00439

No valid predictions.

No valid predictions.

10.1 Scenario Summary

Table 7: Fit statistics across all 12 scenarios
RCP SSP Model N Corr RMSE Sign%
rcp45 SSP1 high 24,326 0.8921 0.000204 80.4%
rcp45 SSP1 low 24,326 0.9441 0.000145 87.3%
rcp45 SSP2 high 24,326 0.9377 0.000173 88.1%
rcp45 SSP2 low 24,326 0.9766 0.000136 89.8%
rcp45 SSP3 high 24,326 0.9393 0.000183 91.2%
rcp45 SSP3 low 24,326 0.9189 0.000187 90.9%
rcp45 SSP4 high 24,326 0.9464 0.000147 91.0%
rcp45 SSP4 low 24,326 0.9577 0.00015 90.4%
rcp85 SSP2 high 24,326 0.9157 0.000445 92.7%
rcp85 SSP2 low 24,326 0.9674 0.000304 94.7%
rcp85 SSP3 high 24,326 0.9498 0.000333 92.9%
rcp85 SSP3 low 24,326 0.9256 0.00049 92.8%
rcp85 SSP4 high 24,326 0.933 0.000401 93.2%
rcp85 SSP4 low 24,326 0.9483 0.000547 93.7%

11 Data Reference

11.1 File Locations

Item Path
Regional CSV /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/mortality__allcause__regional_parameters.csv
Global JSON /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/mortality__allcause__global_results.json
Metadata JSON /project/cil/gcp/flex_damage_funcs/parameters/mortality__allcause__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