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16th September 2014

Report: Better Growth, Better Climate: The New Climate Economy

The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, chaired by former President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon was set up as a major international initiative to analyze and communicate the economic benefits and costs of acting on climate change. On Tuesday September 16 the commission released its flagship report "Better Growth, Better Climate - The New Climate Economy," which finds that a low carbon sustainable economy is very much possible for countries of all income levels.

The report outlines that the next 15 years will be critical as the global economy undergoes a deep structural transformation, growing by half, and seeing a billion people moving to cities coupled with rapid rapid technological advancement.With this change comes great opportunity as investments for a low carbon future are available and potential for innovation is vast. The report's 10 point action plan outlines how business and governments can secure better growth in a low carbon economy if they are willing to act.

To read the full report click here.

The B Team has welcomed the report:"The B Team welcomes the New Climate Economy Report which makes THE CLEAREST BUSINESS CASE TO DATE for ending business as usual and building a low-carbon economy. Action now is not just critical for people and our planet, but it also makes good business sense. It’s the biggest opportunity of this generation. We look forward to working alongside thousands of companies to accelerate the transition and delivering a NEW way of doing business that helps avoid catastrophic climate change and protects the most vulnerable” - B Team Managing Director, Rajiv Joshi

“The New Climate Economy Report provides clear proof that we are at the point where the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of actively combating climate change. The report shows that economic growth and action on climate change can be achieved together. New agricultural techniques are enabling more food to be produced, while cutting CO2 emissions. If just 12% of the world’s degraded land were restored to production, we would slow the pace of deforestation, feed another 200 million people and farmers’ incomes would be raised by US$40 billion a year.” - B Team Leader and CEO of Unilever, Paul Polman