Climate Change

Research and Commentary

Climate Change represents one of the most daunting risk management challenges facing humankind. The Pardee Center uses robust decision making (RDM) and other Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU) approaches to address this challenge.

Browse recent research reports, research briefs, journal articles, and commentary on climate change. Looking for something specific? Try searching all RAND published research.

  • Forest floor with clear glass marble engraved with globe map, photo by RomoloTavani/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Amid Climate Change, These Tech and Policy Experts See Reason for Optimism

    To slow climate change and adapt to the damage already underway, the world will have to shift how it generates and uses energy, transports people and goods, designs buildings, and grows food. That starts with embracing innovation and change.

    Apr 18, 2022

  • Fox Glacier in New Zealand, photo by zodebala/Getty Images

    Journal Article

    Defining the Solution Space to Accelerate Climate Change Adaptation

    Decisionmakers need better insights about solutions to accelerate adaptation efforts. Defining the concept of "solution space" and revealing the forces and strategies that influence this space can help accelerate climate change adaptation.

    Mar 24, 2020

  • A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop on the Getty Fire as it burns in the hills of West Los Angeles, California, October 28, 2019, photo by Gene Blevins/Reuters

    Commentary

    A Climate Scientist's Brush with Wildfire

    RAND researcher Robert Lempert was evacuated from the path of a wildfire. This experience emphasized for him the challenges of adapting to climate change, not merely because it is hard, but because it makes the familiar become unfamiliar in unexpected ways.

    Dec 18, 2019

  • Wooden path with dry and lush landscape on either side, photo by leolintang/Getty Images

    Commentary

    How Voters Can Assess New Climate Plans

    While the U.S. government has announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, most presidential candidates and many states have proposed climate plans of their own. How might voters determine if any of these plans can seriously address climate change?

    Nov 14, 2019

  • Silhouette of business people work together in office. Concept of teamwork and partnership. double exposure with network effects, photo by alphaspirit/Adobe Stock

    Journal Article

    Pathways to 2050: Scenarios for Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy

    Climate change is among the most profound challenges of all time, and the private sector is an essential partner in any decarbonization pathway. Timely business leadership can help ensure choices that are beneficial for both companies and society as a whole.

    Jun 4, 2019

  • An aerial view of Central Texas homes under water at Graveyard Point neighborhood community in the flood plain of Lake Travis, photo by RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

    Content

    RAND's History of Climate Research

    RAND researchers have a long history of shedding light on the social and economic implications of a changing climate, its impacts on the natural environment, and the challenges it poses to communities, regions, and our national security.

    May 17, 2019

  • Wind turbines and cows on a field in Scotland, UK

    Journal Article

    Addressing Uncertainty in Developing Long-Term Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategies

    The Paris Agreement invited countries to establish long-term low greenhouse gas emissions development strategies. These strategies should align with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by the second half of the 21st century. What challenges do nations face when developing long-term strategies?

    Jan 11, 2019

  • The hydroelectric dam Cachi in Ujarras de Cartago, 60 miles of San Jose, Costa Rica, May 25, 2007, photo by Juan Carlos Ulate/Reuters

    Report

    The Benefits and Costs of Decarbonizing Costa Rica's Economy

    Costa Rica set the ambitious goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. An evaluation of the benefits and costs of its National Decarbonization Plan, conducted using Robust Decision Making methods, finds that under most plausible assumptions about the future, the plan would achieve or nearly achieve its goals and do so at a net economic benefit.

    Nov 24, 2020

  • Journal Article

    Flood Damage Reduction Benefits and Costs in Louisiana's 2017 Coastal Master Plan

    Louisiana's coastwide master plans include substantial investments in coastal restoration and hurricane flood risk reduction over 50 years. Modeling of different future scenarios showed implementing the plans could yield net economic benefit for coastal Louisiana in many plausible future scenarios.

    Oct 23, 2019

  • An aerial view of the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. Photo by Jupiterimages / Getty Imges

    Journal Article

    Robust Decision Making: Application to Water Planning and Climate Policy

    Long-term water planning is increasingly challenging, and there are also large uncertainties faced by policymakers addressing global climate change. Methods for Decision Making under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU) can be useful for addressing long-term policy challenges.

    Apr 10, 2019