Assessing the economic impacts of climate change: Choosing the right model for the right question

The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the issues that need to be considered when choosing a model to assess the economic impacts of climate change, and to explore a small subset of modelling approaches that may be used. There is no single model appropriate for all economic assessments of climate impacts. Careful attention must be given at the outset of the assessment process to defining the key questions to be addressed and the specific effects of concern that the model needs to consider. An example of model selection and analysis design related to economic impacts of climate change on water resources and agricultural production is presented.