In July, UNU-WIDER Director Finn Tarp and Senior Research Fellow Channing Arndt held a seminar on ‘Climate Change and Development Policy’ at the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The Institute’s current work programme addresses the topic in two major projects: Regional growth and development in Southern Africa, and ​Africa's energy futures.

​Professors Tarp and Arndt discussed the policy challenges for climate change; steps to reduce vulnerability to climate shocks and sustain economic development, as well as reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses. The central question was; what are the implications of climate change for growth and development prospects in South Africa as we approach 2050? The seminar concluded that climate change can lead to strong economic impacts for dryland agriculture, reduced water availability, and negative impacts on infrastructure and zones vulnerable to sea level rise.