QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK OF THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON QOL

Abstract

 In this study, we examined the impacts of climate change on people's lives and city life in Japan from the viewpoint of outcomes. Existing indices related to socioeconomic progress, human wellbeing and urban lifestyles were reviewed, and Climate Change related Quality of Life (CC-QOL) factor indicators were identified. To gather people’s evaluations on the identified CC-QOL factor indicators, a survey questionnaire was prepared and floated across the country. A conjoint analysis technique was used to analyze the survey results. The weight of the values of each CC-QOL component was estimated, and the characteristics of each individual attribute were examined. Results revealed that people engaged in agriculture, forestry and fisheries tended to have a higher weight on the natural environment. Based on the integrated values of CC-QOL at the municipal level, western Japan, where levels of various climate-related risks such as heat risk and flood risk were higher, tended to have lower evaluation values than eastern Japan.