The report calls for a new policy consensus based on equity, economic security for all, and solidarity. It emphasizes the need for structural transformations in policy, institutions, norms, and mind-sets, and a fundamental reorientation of policymaking through a social lens. A new consensus must prioritize strong social policies, investments in public institutions, and a people-centred approach to development, moving beyond the current over-reliance on markets.
When joining the Alliance, each member bank voluntarily commits to independently setting, disclosing, and reporting on their progress towards science-based de-carbonization targets, as data and methodologies allow. These individual targets aim to align portfolios to pathways that limit global warming to 1.5°C above the pre-industrial global average temperature, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Guidelines for Climate Target Setting for Banks outline eight key sectors: power generation, oil and gas, coal, transport, iron and steel, cement, commercial and residential real estate, and agriculture.
The authors caution that democratic politics may or may not help fix dynamic social problems. The authors argue that even in their own optimistic model of politics—where parties maximize average utility of those currently alive— equilibrium policies may not put society on the right path, and the speed of the green transition may be too slow. Climate change and environmental degradation is a slow and cumulative process. To protect environment, the efforts also need to be cumulative and consistent. A self-centric secular worldview encourages the self-centric use of private property resources. However, even small things done collectively and consistently can have a larger effect.
The threat of air pollution is not new, but it is changing. Air pollution has contributed to death and disease and has hurt economic prospects and community resilience for decades. During that time, policies and technologies have drastically improved air quality in some areas, saving lives, and proving that pollution is not an inevitable by-product of economic development.
Air pollution is a complex mixture of particles and gases with sources and composition varying over space and time. While hundreds of chemical compounds can be measured in the air, governments typically measure only a small subset as indicators of the different types of air pollution and major sources contributing to that pollution.
The global environment for international investment will remain challenging in 2024. Weakening growth prospects, economic fracturing trends, trade, geopolitical tensions, industrial policies, and supply chain diversification are reshaping FDI patterns, causing some multinational enterprises (MNEs) to adopt a cautious approach to overseas expansion. However, MNE profit levels remain high, financing conditions are easing, and increased Greenfield project announcements will positively affect FDI.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is now the world’s largest single environmental health risk. Air pollution is responsible for approximately 3.7 million deaths a year. Going forward, cities will generate approximately 2.2 billion tones of solid waste per year by 2025 which could poison soil and waterways, kill plants, and harm humans and animals.
Islamic Economics Project 