Analysis
Economic Development
Our position
No country has reached prosperity without abundant, reliable energy and intensive agriculture. Poor countries remain poor in large part because of inadequate access to energy, food, infrastructure, and industry. Climate policy that restricts developing economies’ energy growth, such as limitations on fossil fuel use, entrenches poverty and costs lives. Such restrictions are also hypocritical. Wealthy countries industrialized through coal, cut down their forests for agriculture and fuel, and often colonized other peoples to produce these same resources. And now, environmental groups try to restrict financing for natural gas infrastructure in Africa and limit fertilizer use for poor farmers.
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Economic Development work
Research, analysis and everything we have put on the record: comments, testimony, statements, letters and endorsements.
Showing 19–24 of 77
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Analysis
The “Failure” to Ban Fossil Fuel Projects in the Developing World at COP27 May Actually Save Lives.
For low-income countries, economic development necessitates more, not less, greenhouse gas emissions in the near term.
· Patrick Brown
Analysis
Does the Loss and Damage Fund Need Nuclear?
As the details of the fund are hashed out, it would be wise to make use of the obvious pathway that it creates for including nuclear energy as a climate solution.
· Charlyne Smith
Analysis
How Do We Move Beyond a Politics of Limits in International Development?
"Pulling Up the Ladder" at Ecomodernism 2022
Analysis
World Bank, IMF Shift Focus from Poverty to Climate Change
Shifting development funding to emissions reduction takes money from the poor and makes them less resilient.
· Vijaya Ramachandran, Arthur Baker
Analysis
To Replace Russian Gas, Germany Should Look to Africa
To stop financing Moscow’s brutal wars, Berlin should help African countries develop their energy sectors.
· Vijaya Ramachandran
Analysis
The Rich World — Not Sub-Saharan Africa — Needs to Lead on Decarbonization
· Seaver Wang, Vijaya Ramachandran, Zeke Hausfather
19–24 of 77
Who to talk to
Vijaya Ramachandran
Director, Energy and Development Email
Latest: It's Time for the World Bank to Scrap Its Climate Finance Targets
Ted Nordhaus
Founder and President Email
Latest: It's Time for the World Bank to Scrap Its Climate Finance Targets
Questions
What is economic development?
Economic development is the long-term process by which societies become more productive, prosperous, and technologically advanced. Development typically brings higher incomes, better infrastructure, greater access to energy, improved health and education, and longer lives. Development enables people to meet basic needs, make choices about their lives, and pursue greater opportunities.
Why are poor countries poor?
Countries have remained poor for many reasons, including weak institutions, conflict, inadequate infrastructure, limited energy access, low agricultural productivity, historical conflict and exploitation, and barriers to investment and trade. Development requires building institutions, technologies, infrastructure, and productive capacity that can support sustained economic growth.
How do poor countries become rich?
Countries become richer by increasing productivity, building infrastructure, and creating more valuable goods and services. Historically, development has involved industrialization, mechanized agriculture, abundant energy, modern infrastructure, technological adoption, education, trade, and effective institutions. Sustained economic growth uplifts incomes and living standards over time.
Can economic development and environmental protection coexist?
Yes. Economic development and environmental protection can reinforce each other. Wealthier societies possess more resources and societal capacity to invest in clean energy, efficient infrastructure, conservation, and pollution control. Through technological innovation and greater productivity, countries can in turn improve living standards while reducing emissions, pollution, land use, and other environmental impacts.