Decarbonizing Development

Stabilizing climate change entails
bringing net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) to zero. CO2
stays in the atmosphere for hundreds, if not thousands, of
years. As long as one emit more than captured or offset
through carbon sinks (such as forests), concentrations of
CO2 in the atmosphere will keep rising, and the climate will
keep warming. Countries can follow three principles in their
efforts to create a zero-carbon future: (a) planning ahead
for a future with zero emissions, (b) getting carbon prices
and policies right, and (c) smoothing the transition and
protecting the poor. In this context, the report presents
managing the political economy of reform without getting
captured by vested interests; and ensuring poor people
benefit from the reform.