Lord Nicholas Stern responds to World Meteorological Organization report

Professor Lord Nicholas Stern, I.G. Patel Professor of Economics and Government at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said:

“This new report indicates that the world is rapidly approaching the warming threshold of 1.5C beyond which the impacts will be increasingly dangerous. Although all parts of the world are being affected, it is the world’s poorest people who suffer the most from climate change impacts, which undermines economic development and the battle against poverty.

“These impacts will continue to increase until the world reaches net zero emissions of greenhouse gases. Countries meeting in Bonn this week to discuss delivery of net zero as part of the Paris Agreement should recognise not just the extreme dangers created by climate change, but also the enormous opportunities offered by a rapid transition to sustainable, inclusive and resilient development and growth.”

“From London to Lagos, it’s essential that we improve climate resilience and adaptation. That will require investment and finance. But it will be investment with high returns; as with mitigation, good adaptation is good development.”

ENDS