FOCUS AREAS
GREEN EARTH
The economic and social challenges facing cities around the world as a result of climate change including energy shortages, damaged infrastructure, increasing losses to industry, heat-related mortality and illness, and scarcity of food and water.
Global Mean Surface Temperature for Selected Climate Scenarios
- 2031-2050
- 2081-2100
Global Mean Sea Level Rise for Selected
Climate Scenarios
-
2030
+0.125
meters
-
2070
+0.45
meters
-
2100
+0.7
meters
CO2 Emissions in 2017 (billions of tons)
World economy set to lose up to 18% GDP from climate change if no action is taken.
As well as its serious impact on the environment and people, climate change is one of the biggest threats to economic stability. Heatwaves make us less able to work and reduce productivity. Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons devastate millions of people, leaving them in absolute poverty after ruthlessly sweeping away their communities. Droughts shrink harvests, further complicating the arduous task of feeding the world population, which is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050 (World Population Prospects 2019, United Nations Organisation). The World Bank is warning: if we don't do something immediately, climate change could push 100 million more people into poverty by 2030.
Structural transformation in five key economic sectors
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Smarter urban developments
More compact, connected and coordinated cities would save US $17 billion by 2050 and stimulate economic growth by improving access to work and housing.
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Smart water management
In areas with a water shortage, GNP could fall by up to 6% in 2050. This could be prevented by making more efficient use of water through technological improvements and investment in public infrastructure.
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Sustainable land use
A switch to more sustainable farming methods combined with strict forest protection could generate economic benefits of around 2 billion dollars per year.
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Circular industrial economy
Today, 95% of the value of the material from plastic packaging - up to 120 billion dollars a year - is lost after the first use. Policies that encourage more circular and efficient use of materials could improve global economic activity and reduce waste and pollution.
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Clean energy systems
Decarbonisation of the energy system coupled with decentralised, digitised electrification technologies could give a billion more people access to modern energy services.