Real People, Real Impacts: The Climate Impact Equity Lens

The Climate Impact Equity Lens (CIEL) is an illustrative tool that compares individual climate damages against the savings gained from not reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By analyzing factors such as income, economic vulnerability, coastal exposure, and water availability, CIEL demonstrates that regional averages mask a wide diversity of impacts. The report finds that while some individuals are currently 'net winners' due to avoided emission costs, the majority of the global population, including the least vulnerable, will likely become 'net losers' by 2150 as climate damages escalate.

• The CIEL tool identifies a significant gap between regional averages and individual experiences, noting that in every world region, the average person does not represent the diversity of climate vulnerability or emission reduction savings.
• Climate impacts are categorized as either damages (from temperature rise, ocean acidification, and weather patterns) or savings (the avoided costs of investing in green technology and alternative energy).
• While many people are currently net winners because savings from not reducing emissions exceed damage costs, this trend will reverse over time; by 2100, almost everyone globally will be a net loser.
• By 2150, the tool projects that the average person in every world region except China will suffer net losses, and even the least vulnerable individuals in almost all regions will experience damages that outweigh savings.
• In the Caribbean, high vulnerability is driven by a high share of income from tourism, agriculture, and fisheries, as well as significant populations living below 5 meters elevation. By 2100, only a small minority in the region, such as those in the British Virgin Islands, are projected to maintain net gains.
• The report argues that for climate policy to be successful and benefit the majority by 2100, the most vulnerable 'net losers' must be represented in negotiations to avoid policies that are 'too little, too late'.

APA

Stanton, E. A., Bueno, R., & Davis, M. (2011). Real People, Real Impacts: The Climate Impact Equity Lens. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Report-Stanton-RealPeopleRealImpacts-2011.pdf

Chicago

Stanton, Elizabeth A., Ramón Bueno, and Marion Davis. Real People, Real Impacts: The Climate Impact Equity Lens. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2011. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Report-Stanton-RealPeopleRealImpacts-2011.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Stanton |first1=Elizabeth A. |last2=Bueno |first2=Ramón |last3=Davis |first3=Marion |title=Real People, Real Impacts: The Climate Impact Equity Lens |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=November 2011 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Report-Stanton-RealPeopleRealImpacts-2011.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stanton2011real, author = {Stanton, Elizabeth A. and Bueno, Ramón and Davis, Marion}, title = {{Real People, Real Impacts: The Climate Impact Equity Lens}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2011}, month = nov, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Report-Stanton-RealPeopleRealImpacts-2011.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }