Ending extreme poverty has a negligible impact on global greenhouse gas emissions

Increasing consumption is essential for eradicating extreme poverty, yet it serves as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. This brings up the question of whether climate change containment and poverty alleviation can go hand in hand, and if so, what conditions would make that possible. Existing literature has quantified the carbon footprint linked to individuals' consumption across various income brackets through consumption surveys. These studies model the potential rise in consumption among those in extreme poverty globally and assess the resulting emissions. This webinar explores a novel strategy where poverty reduction is the product of a combination of economic growth, and consumption growth distributed among all households. In this context, alleviating poverty entails not only boosting consumption among those below the poverty line but also, based on historical distribution trends, enhancing consumption among those above it. 

SPEAKER:

Philip Wollburg is a Senior Economist for the Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) at the Development Economics Data Group. His research focuses on poverty, agriculture, and the impacts of shocks and climate change, as well as data and measurement methods. Prior to joining the World Bank, he worked with FAO and led a project aimed at delivering innovative renewable energy solutions to smallholder agricultural and fisheries communities in East Africa. He holds a master’s in development economics from the University of Oxford.  

Webcast