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 1–6 of 77
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Analysis
It's Time for the World Bank to Scrap Its Climate Finance Targets
The diversion of development dollars to climate mitigation over the past decade hollowed out aid programs for no gain
· Vijaya Ramachandran, Ted Nordhaus
Analysis
Paul Ehrlich Was Wrong About India
How Policy, Technology, and Markets Defied Predictions of Famine
· Vijaya Ramachandran
Report
AIM for Scale
Strategy, Functions, and Governance
· Dan Blaustein-Rejto, Vijaya Ramachandran, Ted Nordhaus
Analysis
Climate Finance Is Everything—And So Nothing
It’s Beyond Time to Collapse the Distinction Between Climate and Development Assistance
· William Davison
Analysis
Sub-Saharan Africa Can’t Afford to Eat on a Carbon Diet
Green fertilizers are an empty promise to farmers in sub-Saharan Africa
· Ryan Alimento
Report
Adaptation Finance and The Multilateral Development Banks: From Concepts to Practice
Recommendations of a Working Group on Climate Adaptation Finance
· Working Group on Climate Adaptation Finance, Vijaya Ramachandran
1–6 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.