There is growing awareness that human activities are having a major impact on the earth’s ecosphere—so much so that many are now defining a new geological era: the Anthropocene, a time when humans have become the driving force in the earth’s physical changes. With the global human population expected to reach over 9 billion by 2050, urbanization, access to energy, infrastructure development, and poverty reduction will result in an unprecedented strain on our planet’s natural resources and environment. Given the long-term risk this presents for development, the World Bank continues to champion an integrated approach for sustainable development, including low carbon development strategies, renewable energy, and resilient cities and landscapes. As part of the transition to a low carbon economy, we are already seeing a remarkable growth in renewable energy technologies, now accounting for about 17% of global energy consumption. The need to meet future energy demands, while striving for a low carbon future, is not however immaterial. An impressive range of analysis covering the science and viability of response measures, including both adaptation to the impacts of climate change and measures to mitigate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, was undertaken when more than 170 countries signed on to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2015. Mitigation issues typically covered the economic, policy, technology, and sustainability implications of reducing GHG emissions. However, relatively little analysis was conducted on the material implications of a carbon-constrained future.
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