This paper analyzes the effects of climate change on budgetary sustainability and inequality.
Using panel data, the findings suggest that rising climate-related disaster risks raise government debt and undermine fiscal sustainability, with low-income households bearing the brunt of the impact. According to a New Keynesian Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium model, disaster risk generates recessions and increases inequality, particularly among “hand-to-mouth” agents. The paper also shows a considerable increase in sovereign debt due to disaster risk, and it recommends targeted transfers while cautioning against the fiscal cost of progressive taxes.