BERLIN (Reuters) – Extreme weather from climate change could cost Germany up to 900 billion euros in cumulative economic damage by the middle of the century, according to a study published on Monday.

The study, carried out by economic research firms Prognos and GWS and the German Research Institute for Ecological Economics, comes as the German Environment Ministry is working on a climate adaptation strategy due to be presented soon.

It also comes amid debates within the ruling coalition over how Germany should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in difficult sectors such as transport and construction in order to become climate neutral. carbon by 2045.

According to the German Economics and Environment Ministries, the study shows that extreme heat, drought and floods could cost between 280 billion euros and 900 billion euros between 2022 and 2050, according to the extent of global warming.

These costs include loss of agricultural yields, damage or destruction of buildings and infrastructure due to heavy rains and floods, degradation of freight transport and consequences on the health system.

Non-financial damages such as damage to health, deaths from heat and flooding and loss of biodiversity, are not taken into account.

According to the Ministry of Economy, extreme weather events have cost Germany at least 145 billion euros between 2000 and 2021.

The study specifies that around 60% to 80% of the eventual costs, depending on the intensity of climate change, could be avoided through adaptation measures.

(Riham Alkousaa report; Victor Goury-Laffont, edited by Blandine Hénault)

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