The shift to sustainability could save $26 trillion

Since money is the only factor big business takes into account, how about that number? That is the savings determined by the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate in their 2018 New Climate Economy Report. How?


"Better urban planning and strategic infrastructure investment, particularly the expansion of public and non-motorised transport networks, can overcome bottlenecks to economic growth – such as congestion and air pollution – for more liveable cities. More compact, connected, and coordinated cities are worth up to US$17 trillion in economic savings by 2050[1] and will stimulate economic growth by improving access to jobs and housing. They can strengthen resilience to physical climate risks and could deliver up to 3.7 gigatons per year of CO2e savings over the next 15 years, just shy of the total emissions of the European Union (EU) today. Integrated national urban policy frameworks can guide sustainable and inclusive urban development."

"The shift to more sustainable forms of agriculture combined with strong forest protection could deliver over US$2 trillion per year of economic benefits; generate millions of jobs, mainly in the developing world; improve food security including by reducing food loss and waste (a third of all food produced is lost or wasted along the food chain); and deliver over a third of the climate change solution. At the same time, restoration of natural capital, especially our forests, degraded lands, and coastal zones, will strengthen our defences and boost adaptation to climate impacts, from more extreme weather patterns to sea-level rise."

See the report for much more.