Achieving a Sustainable Future: Ending Poverty While Preserving Our Climate

Climate change is a pressing issue, and many people still lack basic necessities. Tackling both challenges is crucial and possible. Recent research shows that we can meet global climate goals while improving living standards for everyone, but we must act quickly.

This study, led by Jarmo Kikstra from the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program, focuses on energy scenarios that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. It examines how to provide essential services like heating, cooling, clean cooking, transportation, education, and healthcare to people around the world.

Kikstra says, “Our goal is to understand how to eliminate extreme poverty while advancing climate action. It’s about ensuring decent living standards for everyone.”

The researchers used a new model, DESIRE, to compare sustainable energy scenarios with traditional trends. They found that focusing on sustainable development could reduce the number of people lacking basic energy needs by over 90%. This progress would happen much faster than sticking to current approaches.

Surprisingly, the emissions needed to support decent living standards are much smaller than total global emissions. Kikstra insists that eradicating poverty and protecting the planet can go hand in hand. “The energy needed for basic human dignity is small compared to current global consumption,” he explains. However, achieving this requires significant growth and international support for low-income countries.

Shonali Pachauri, another coauthor, stresses the need to improve resource distribution. “We must enhance services and ensure that resources are effectively allocated to those in need,” she says.

Bas van Ruijven, also involved in the study, notes that detailed energy needs can align with ambitious emission reductions. “If we do this right, our future energy needs could be a third lower, while aiming for zero emissions,” he adds.

The study highlights that without effective climate policies, meeting even basic needs may exceed the limits of the Paris Agreement. A key takeaway is that only about one-third of global energy is required for decent living standards. The rest supports activities beyond basics. In a future that could be less than 20 years away, many, including those in low-income countries, could achieve living standards well above the minimum benchmark.

This research points to a hopeful future. It suggests that providing necessary services won’t harm the planet—at least not from energy consumption. Creating a balance between climate goals and decent living is within our grasp, but it demands immediate action to lower emissions. With this approach, we can aspire to a just and livable future for everyone.

For more detailed insights, check out resources like the IPCC reports that further illustrate the connection between climate action and sustainable development.

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