Ending Poverty and Achieving Climate Goals is Possible, Say Researchers

As climate change continues to increase in intensity and billions of people continue to lack basic needs, new research indicates that the two problems can be addressed simultaneously. A new research, led by Jarmo Kikstra of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), indicates that global climate targets can be met without compromising the goal of eradicating poverty. The study indicates that a balanced approach, with rapid and timely reduction of emissions, can allow both increasing living standards around the globe and protecting the world.

The research, which was published in Environmental Research Letters, examines energy scenarios aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. The authors examined whether the scenarios would provide enough energy to allow people everywhere to have access to basic services such as space heating and air conditioning, clean cooking, mobility, education, and healthcare. The research finds that energy consumption required to satisfy basic needs is low compared with current global energy use.

Kikstra explains that the research was meant to explore how extreme poverty can be eliminated and at the same time encourage climate action. The scientists used the DESIRE model to compare energy scenarios that make sustainable development the priority against those that pursue existing trends. Perhaps the most significant observation is that situations of sustainable development would be capable of reducing by hundreds of millions the number of people without access to adequate energy to meet basic household requirements. In such circumstances, the number of people without the necessary energy will reduce by over 90%, a faster rate than if unfolding trends continue. Furthermore, it posits that the energy required to maintain moderate levels of living is much lesser than the overall greenhouse emissions across the world. 

The authors opine that the idea that eradicating poverty and saving the planet is an either-or situation is a misperception. The energy that's needed for the human dignity level is considerably smaller than the global consumption being demanded at the present time, implying that both can be achieved using proper policies and initiatives. Implementing this vision will require gigantic growth activity, particularly in low-income countries, along with world support. Shonali Pachauri, one of the study authors, emphasized three strategies in ensuring all people have access to sufficient resources: growth, efficiency, and decreasing inequality. "It's not only about adding services where they are needed but also ensuring that services are delivered more efficiently, that the resources are not wasted but allocated to where they are needed," she stated.

The research states that future energy demand can be reduced by at least one-third while emissions cuts can continue to zero, and this can only happen if there are functioning climate policies. In the absence of policies, even providing minimum energy services to all would go beyond the limits of the Paris Agreement.

One of the findings of the research is that nearly one-third of all world energy consumption is needed to support moderate living standards.

The remaining two-thirds are used for nonsurvival. Over half of the world's population, both in low-income countries and elsewhere, could be living below over double the minimum acceptable living standards for the building industry in a future when this policy is pursued. This demonstrates that an equitable and sustainable future for everyone is achievable without sacrificing on climate objectives. The authors summarize that the provision of basic services to the world need not lead to environmental ruin—at least not in energy terms. With unified and timely efforts to reduce emissions, it is possible to have both climate objectives and acceptable living standards for all.

Source:-Ansa Heyl, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)