New Climate Economy

The New Climate Economy is a major international initiative that examines how countries can achieve economic growth while dealing with the risks posed by climate change. It is the flagship project of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, comprised of former heads of government and finance ministers and leaders in the fields of economics and business. The Global Commission was launched in 2013 by seven countries – Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Norway, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The New Climate Economy project is undertaken by a global partnership of research institutes, of which WRI is the managing partner, and a core team led by Helen Mountford.

The project has released 3 major global reports:

2014: Better Growth, Better Climate: The New Climate Economy Report – Headline Finding: Economic growth and action on climate change can now be achieved together

2015: Seizing the Global Opportunity: Partnerships for Better Growth and a Better Climate – Headline Finding: 10 key actions can drive economic growth and development and achieve as much as 96% of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to keep global warming under 2°C.

2016: The Sustainable Infrastructure Imperative: Financing for Better Growth and Development – Headline Finding: Concerted action in four, interlinked areas can together help us shift investment to the sustainable infrastructure of the 21st century.

The project has also published a variety of country case studies and other research, including on cities (see also the New Climate Economy Cities Special Initiative: the Coalition for Urban Transitions), land use, finance, and infrastructure. The project has disseminated its messages thanks to high-profile outreach by members of the Global Commission and New Climate Economy partners - nearly 100 op-eds in leading media outlets from 2014-2017 – and engagement with 10 heads of state and well over 75 global leaders and ministers, as well as disseminating the “better growth, better climate” narrative through over 350 events.