For more than a century, economic growth meant more carbon. That link is breaking.
Sorry to keep being the bearer of good news, but a new study on global carbon budgets over the last decade (reported in The Guardian) shows real progress:
- 92% of the global economy has at least partially decoupled GDP growth from emissions
- Nearly half of global GDP comes from countries that are growing AND cutting emissions (incl. Brazil, the UK, Norway, Switzerland)
- 22 countries — including US, Japan, Canada, most of the EU — decoupled long before 2015
- A “spectacular shift in China“. From 2015-2023, the economy grew 50% while emissions rose 24%. Over the last 18 months, emissions have flatlined
Ok, big caveats before everyone starts yelling:
- Total emissions still rising (1.1% in 2025)
- GDP doesn’t measure well-being
- Services growing as a % of GDP (decoupling is easier)
- Growth is still obsession, which isn’t fully compatible with thriving
- Decoupling is NOT the full answer; we have to go faster to true zero
Climate change is getting worse, but this is still great news.
(See discussion about this on LinkedIn)
Other recent posts
A quick roundup (from BCG) of recent reporting moves in the EU
BP and Shell backtrack on clean energy (what a shock)
The debate about “100% Renewable” really means — and Why it may be changing
A rollercoaster of climate headlines last week
The EPA posts climate denial talking points
The latest Globescan report on corporate sustainability (Patagonia is #1)
[Image: Pixabay, CSchmidt-EC]
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