The Daily Populous Saturday August 16th, 2025 morning edition
Authored by happyeconews.com and submitted by Bitter-Lengthiness-2

A new UN analysis reveals that the economic benefits of decarbonization include higher GDP growth, millions of new jobs, and avoided climate damages worth trillions of dollars.

A major United Nations study reveals that aggressive climate action will boost global economic growth rather than harm it. The report shows that countries implementing stronger climate policies could increase their GDP by 0.2% by 2040 compared to current approaches.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) analyzed economic data from around the world. Their findings challenge the prevailing notion that environmental protection hurts economic growth.

The economic benefits of decarbonization become clear when examining the efficiency gains from investments in clean energy. Countries that accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels will experience higher productivity, greater innovation, and stronger long-term growth than those that maintain their current policies.

Today’s global economy produces 0.34 kilograms of carbon dioxide for every dollar of economic output. Under enhanced climate plans aligned with international agreements, the emission intensity is projected to decrease to just 0.14 kilograms per capita by 2040. This dramatic improvement means countries can generate more wealth while producing far less pollution.

Clean energy investments now attract twice as much funding as fossil fuel projects worldwide. This shift reflects growing investor confidence in renewable technologies that have become cheaper and more reliable than traditional energy sources. Solar and wind power costs have fallen dramatically over the past decade, making them the most affordable electricity options in many regions.

The report examines what happens when countries strengthen their climate commitments, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These plans outline each nation’s specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Only 19 countries had submitted updated climate plans by the February 2025 deadline, despite mounting evidence that more decisive action makes economic sense. This slow response concerns researchers who warn that delayed climate investments could weaken economic resilience and increase future damages.

Policy uncertainty creates one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth in the climate transition. When governments provide unclear signals about future regulations and incentives, private companies delay investments in clean technologies. This hesitation could reduce GDP by 0.75% as early as 2030 compared to scenarios with clear, consistent climate policies.

The economic benefits of decarbonization extend far beyond simple GDP calculations.

Countries implementing comprehensive climate strategies could help one in five people living in extreme poverty escape the poverty trap by 2050. This improvement stems from job creation in renewable energy industries, improved agricultural productivity, and better access to clean water and electricity.

Health benefits represent another significant economic advantage of climate action. Fossil fuel combustion contributed to 4.2 million premature deaths from air pollution in 2019, with 89% of those deaths occurring in developing countries. Investments in clean energy, low-emission transportation, and improved urban planning would reduce pollution at its source while significantly cutting healthcare costs.

The report projects that avoiding climate damages could increase global GDP by up to 3% by 2050 and 13% by 2100. These estimates may understate the actual benefits because they don’t fully account for catastrophic risks, such as melting ice sheets or disrupted ocean circulation patterns.

The economic benefits of decarbonization comes not only from industrial development, but also from ecotourism and other low-carbon activities. Licensed under the Unsplash+ License

Current global progress indicates that the economic benefits of decarbonization are already materializing. From 2015 to 2022, world GDP grew by 22% while emissions increased by only 7%. More than 40 countries managed to improve their economic output while also reducing their carbon emissions during this period.

Today, 87% of the global economy operates under net-zero emission targets adopted by governments, regions, cities, and companies. This widespread commitment creates market demand for clean technologies and services, driving innovation and job creation.

The transition to clean energy increases productivity by making economies more efficient. Renewable energy systems require less ongoing fuel costs than fossil fuel plants, freeing up resources for other investments. Energy efficiency improvements in buildings and transportation also reduce operating expenses for businesses and households.

Revenue recycling represents a key strategy for maximizing the economic benefit of decarbonization. When governments implement carbon pricing policies, they generate significant funds that can support economic growth through tax reductions, infrastructure investments, or direct payments to citizens.

The report emphasizes that climate action and development strategies work together rather than competing for resources. Countries that integrate environmental goals into their economic planning achieve stronger results than those that treat climate policy as a separate issue.

Success requires putting affected communities at the center of climate strategies. Early consultation with workers, businesses, and local leaders helps design effective transition programs that provide retraining, economic diversification, and social support.

Financial institutions play a crucial role in unlocking the economic benefits of decarbonization. Banks, insurance companies, and investment funds need clear regulations and incentives to direct capital toward clean energy projects and climate-resilient infrastructure.

International cooperation strengthens domestic capacity for climate-responsive budgeting and investment. Multilateral development banks and climate funds can leverage private capital through co-financing arrangements and risk mitigation tools, making clean energy projects more attractive to commercial investors.

The 2025 climate planning cycle presents countries with an opportunity to leverage synergies between environmental protection and economic growth. Nations that submit ambitious, implementable plans will position themselves to benefit from the global transition to clean energy and sustainable development.

kmatyler on August 15th, 2025 at 21:19 UTC »

> decarbonization is a global economic opportunity

The profit motive cannot solve the problems it created. We must divorce ourselves from the idea that the only things worth doing are those that make somebody rich

CDN-Social-Democrat on August 15th, 2025 at 20:53 UTC »

Also for anyone interested below is a bunch of resources on the bad actors involved in the Oil & Gas industry. Feel free to share the links :) The more awareness the better!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evy2EgoveuE - In which an Exxon executive on the lobbyist side gets caught on camera admitting they push fake science, corrupt politicians, and know what they are doing is massively wrong but it do for profits. In other words making it pretty clear they use right-wing reactionaries as useful idiots to repeat their propaganda and scripted narratives.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOi05zDO4yw - In which goes through the Oil & Gas lobby utilizing fake social media accounts, hiring actors for townhalls, and other insanity to push counter messaging that is deeply deeply unpopular to as appear that it more prevalent in society than it actually is lol

Also it is incredibly sad that Oil & Gas lobbyists have been allowed to misinform/brainwash the populace on all these issues as the science around climate change was known in the late 1800's... https://daily.jstor.org/how-19th-century-scientists-predicted-global-warming/ These people are extremely dishonest and predatory. I guess that comes with hiring the people and organizations involved with the Tobacco companies campaigns around "Alternative Science/Facts & Messaging" .....

For those looking to become more aware/informed on the climate crisis and overall environmental crisis:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2njn71TqkjA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl6VhCAeEfQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uynhvHZUOOo

These videos touch on the realities we see and will see based on hard science, data, and the common held perspectives within the scientific community.

I also like to talk about ocean acidification, coral bleaching, and the overall Holocene Extinction so people do their own reading and see that we are not just dealing with a climate crisis but an overall environmental crisis.

CDN-Social-Democrat on August 15th, 2025 at 20:52 UTC »

Quick note to any that may see this and not fully aware/informed:

Solar Power & Wind Power are not just some of the cleanest forms of energy they are some of the CHEAPEST!

Oil, gas, and coal are dirty and EXPENSIVE!

Also there are some big breakthroughs coming with multijunction solar (Tandem solar) and Battery Technology that will continue this progress! :)

It's an exciting time. We just have to keep the Oil & Gas Lobby from misinforming and frankly lying to the populace.