The Review on the Economics of Climate Change, published on 30th October, has generated substantial interest and debate. We have now had the opportunity to present the Review to a wide range of audiences, including economists, scientists, business leaders and the international community, including the participants in the Nairobi Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, and to policy-makers at the European Commission and the African Union.

In this postscript, we offer some reflections in the light of the reactions and comments we have received in the first weeks since publication. In the main text, we have also taken the opportunity to correct any typographical errors found or which have been drawn to our attention. For example, revising the magnitudes of hurricane losses in Table 5.2. The discussion here follows the structure of the Review. The first issues concern the strength of the evidence base underpinning the recommendation of the Review that all countries should take urgent action to stabilise the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at between 450–550ppm CO2e. The second set of issues concern the policy mechanisms that will support an effective, efficient and equitable approach to this action, and the importance of international co-operation to support adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change.

The case for urgent action

Two key conclusions from our analyses of the science and economics of climate change provide important underpinning for the case for urgent action.