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.
Start here
Three pieces the team says to read first
Economic Development work
Research, analysis and everything we have put on the record: comments, testimony, statements, letters and endorsements.
Showing 49–54 of 80
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Analysis
Electrify to Adapt
Tanzania to Use More Natural Gas and Coal to Combat Energy Poverty
· Kizito Makoye
Analysis
How the US-Africa Summit Can Catalyze Africa’s Rise
Gas and Hydro Set to Dominate Africa’s Energy Sector
· Alex Trembath, Jenna Mukuno
Analysis
High-Energy Africa
Development Experts Make the Case for Big Investments in Sub-Saharan Africa
· Breakthrough Staff
Analysis
Unleashing Africa
How the US Can Light Up the Futures of the 1.4 Billion People Living Without Electricity
· Madeleine Gleave, Todd Moss
Analysis
The Low-Energy Club
Sierra Club Report Calls for Universal Electricity Access at 0.15 Percent California Levels
· Alex Trembath
Analysis
Solar Panels Are Not Cell Phones
The Developing World Won’t Leapfrog the Traditional Grid to Solar Microgrids
· Alex Trembath, Max Luke
49–54 of 80
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.