We study a commons problem under uncertainty, where individual actions affect the risk of a future damage event. We … show that for risk-averse agents, an extra risk on the amount of the damage induces more precautionary actions in Nash … equilibrium. Similarly, for prudent agents an extra risk in all states of the world induces more precautionary actions in Nash …

. Instead, we conclude that in certain circumstances uncertainty can help protect the commons …

composition of the optimal mix as both persuade the risk-averse social planner to invest more in mitigation. Overall, we identify …

derive a general analytic formula for the "risk premium" governing the resulting climate policy. The formula generalizes … making under uncertainty. It clarifies the distinct roles of risk aversion, prudence, characteristics of the damage … formulation, and future policy response. We show that an optimal response to uncertainty substantially reduces the risk premium. …