Economists are not engaged enough with the IPCC

Abstract

Abstract The representation of Economics in IPCC Assessment Reports (ARs) has evolved over time and is currently declining. This is especially noticeable in Working Group 2 (WGII), where economists were never very well represented. It is also noticeable that the economists who have participated in the writing of the recent ARs are typically not employed in traditional academic economics departments and are therefore not operating in the mainstream of the profession. Economic research can contribute a lot to overcoming the complex challenges posed by climate change, and therefore it is worthwhile to assess why economists are not more heavily involved. This is both a supply problem (not many economists focus on climate change) and a demand problem (the IPCC does not seem to want more economists). Here, we first try to argue that economists should be part of the IPCC. We then digress to look at what economic research looks like, and therefore why economists are not that interested in contributing meaningfully to the research on climate change. We also briefly discuss why the IPCC seems not to welcome economists, and why we think the future may be looking brighter for this needed collaboration between economics and the IPCC.