Global challenges such as climate change, economic productivity, food and water security, and health could be overcome if countries use their natural resources more efficiently, and this is possible without sacrificing the environment or human prosperity, a new report says.
The report “the Nature’s Frontiers: Achieving Sustainability, Efficiency, and Prosperity with Natural Capital” proposes a comprehensive approach that combines innovative science, data sources, and biophysical and economic models. By leveraging these tools, countries can identify opportunities to enhance their resource efficiency and operate within their natural efficiency frontiers. This approach aims to ensure that countries can thrive and prosper while minimizing negative impacts on the planet.
“This work is helping us understand what is happening at a country level and how countries can achieve their development goals without sacrificing biodiversity or climate change targets,” said Richard Damania, World Bank Chief Economist for Sustainable Development. “There are actions countries can take now to give their people a better life while maintaining a liveable planet.”
HIGHLIGHT
The report prepared by the World Bank, the Natural Capital Project, and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) highlights the existence of significant efficiency gaps in how countries utilize their natural resources. Closing these gaps has the potential to address various global challenges, including climate change, economic productivity, food and water security, and health.
The findings of the report suggest that countries can substantially improve their performance in terms of economic returns or environmental outcomes by focusing on one dimension without compromising the other. This means that countries can enhance their economic productivity while also achieving positive environmental outcomes.
Efficiency improvements in the allocation and management of land, water, and other natural resources could result in substantial benefits. The report estimates that worldwide, such improvements could lead to a total increase in annual income from agriculture, grazing, and forestry of around US$329 billion. Moreover, these enhancements could generate enough food production to feed the world until 2050, all without a net loss of forests and natural habitats.
The report emphasizes that tackling inefficiencies in resource use remains a cost-effective and economically attractive approach for countries, particularly considering their competing needs and limited budgets. By optimizing resource allocation and management, countries can make significant progress towards global sustainability goals.
The report also highlights specific opportunities for improvement. For example, avoiding deforestation could sequester a substantial amount of carbon dioxide—equivalent to approximately 1.7 years of global emissions—without adversely affecting economic growth. Similarly, more efficient spending on air pollution prevention could save an additional 366,000 lives annually.
SOLUTION
While the challenges and needs vary across countries, the report does not propose a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it identifies the necessary changes and their specific locations within a country. The report provides indicators to evaluate trade-offs and recommends the most appropriate policy mix for each country. The result is a detailed roadmap that can guide countries in selecting the most feasible and affordable approach to meet their environmental and development objectives.
