Former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the NCE launch event. (New York, New York) Photo by Cia Pak.
WRI coordinated a global partnership of economic and climate research institutes to write a landmark report on the New Climate Economy. The report presented a compelling, fact-based narrative about how economic growth and climate action can—and must—be achieved together.
The Challenge
For as long as climate action has been a global concern, governments and businesses have assumed that curbing greenhouse gas emissions would come with prohibitive economic costs. Shifting this misperception is critical to helping countries take action on climate change.
WRI’s Role
WRI coordinated a global partnership of economic and climate research institutes to write a landmark report on the New Climate Economy, focusing on how economic growth and climate action can be achieved together. As managing partner, WRI assembled the research team, recruited a global commission, and secured the support and funding of seven commissioning countries.WRI was asked to lead the effort based on its reputation for rigorous, unbiased analysis and ability to convene high-level dialogues.
Former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón and Lord Nicholas Stern guided the project through a global commission of 24 former presidents and prime ministers, finance ministers, current mayors, CEOs and heads of major economic institutions. The team crafted a thoroughly researched global report and 10-point Action Plan, which the commissioners unanimously endorsed.
WRI’s Communications team worked with a global network to drive an international launch of the report in September 2014, garnering more than 1,600 media stories in the first days, including commentaries by some of the world’s most influential economic and financial opinion-makers. Within days, commissioners launched the report in New York, Oslo, Addis Ababa, Beijing and Johannesburg. Released just before the UN Climate Summit, the message became central to the narrative delivered by heads of state, negotiators and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The Impact
The report presented a compelling, fact-based narrative about how economic growth and climate action can—and must—be achieved together, delivered by trusted thought leaders on a global scale. Changing the discourse around climate action during the UN Climate Summit and reaching billions of people through the media have already changed thinking. The report’s long-term impact will be evident as heads of government, ministers of finance and CEOs use the recommendations to shape their policy decisions. Engagement with key countries and sectors is planned for the coming year.