Reboot development: the economics of a liveable planet

Join us for a discussion on the World Bank’s latest report revealing how environmental degradation—through land loss, air and water pollution—affects global growth and human potential.

Drawing on new data, the report finds that 90% of the world lives with either degraded land, unhealthy air or water stress which slows growth and hinders economic opportunity. In low-income countries, 80% of people live with all three. The report examines how the loss of forests cuts rainfall, dries soils, and worsens droughts, costing billions of dollars. It identifies the nitrogen paradox where fertilizers boost yields but overuse in some regions harms crops and ecosystems, costing as much as $3.4 trillion annually. And it shows how air and water pollution silently damage health, productivity, and cognition, sapping human potential. However, across all three systems change is possible and worth it.

We will be joined by Richard Damania, lead report author and the World Bank’s Chief Economist, Planet and Martin Raiser the World Bank’s Senior Representative for European Economic Cooperation.’

Meet our speakers and chair

Richard Damania is the Chief Economist of the Sustainable Development Practice Group, effective March 1, 2020. He has held several positions in the World Bank including as Senior Economic Advisor in the Water Practice, Lead Economist in the Africa Region’s Sustainable Development Department, in the South Asia and Latin America and Caribbean Regions of the World Bank.

Mr. Martin Raiser became the World Bank’s Senior Representative for European Economic Cooperation on July 1, 2025. As the World Bank’s Senior Representative for European Economic Cooperation and Head of Office in Paris, he provides strategic leadership to the engagement with the EU institutions and EU member states to enhance sustainable partnerships.

Sir Andrew Steer is Professor in Practice in the Global School of Sustainability at LSE. He is a leader in sustainable development and climate change advocacy. Sir Andrew has served most recently as the founding President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund. Previously the President and CEO of World Resources Institute and has held significant positions at the World Bank, including Special Envoy for Climate Change, and was Director General at the former UK Department for International Development (DFID). He has recently been appointed to the role of Chair of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as of February 2026.

More about this event

Launched in 2025, the Global School of Sustainability at LSE (GSoS) is the centre of social science expertise for sustainability impact at LSE. We work in partnerships across the LSE community and beyond to advance pioneering sustainability research and global policy engagement.

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