WhileIn view of the enormous challenges posed by the climate crisis, a new study emphasizes the economic benefits of investment in infrastructure and agriculture.
„The Global Commission on Adaptation estimates that investment of $ 1.9 trillion (€ 1.7 trillion) in climatic resilience will generate a net profit of seven trillion (€ 6.3 trillion) by 2030,“ said one of the initiators of the Study, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.
The report points out that economic adjustment to the consequences of the climate crisis is not only necessary, but also lucrative.
The study is about protecting the economy from losses caused by the climate crisis and at the same time showing economic opportunities. These include, for example, improved early warning systems for increasing natural disasters, drought-resistant crops and better flood protection. The report, which includes World Bank chief Kristalina Georgiewa and billionaire Bill Gates, is also supported by a number of countries including China, India, Germany and the United Kingdom.
100 million people threatened by poverty
Ban emphasized that it is not just about economic gains. Economic adaptation to the climate crisis ultimately also saves people: „Climate change could push more than 100 million people in developing countries below the poverty line“, if not acted accordingly. The report also states that there is a risk of water scarcity, significant losses in agriculture and the relocation of hundreds of millions of people on the coast due to rising sea levels.
The latter alone could lead to costs of more than a trillion dollars (900 billion euros) by 2050, according to the study. So far, sensible, economically adapted projects are rare, and for the most part, the economy is insufficiently prepared for the new framework conditions.
