World Bank: Use natural resources more efficiently

The World Bank has released a new report titled “Nature’s Limits: Achieving Sustainability, Efficiency, and Prosperity with Natural Capital.”

In the report, it was stated that global problems such as climate change, economic efficiency, food and water security and health can be overcome if countries use their natural resources more efficiently, without compromising the environment and well-being. human.

Given that huge productivity gaps exist in the use of natural resources in almost all countries, closing these gaps could address many of the world’s pressing economic and environmental problems.

“THE USE OF LAND IS UNPRODUCTIVE IN ALL REGIONS”

In the report, it was stated that land use is inefficient in all income countries and all regions, and that an additional 85.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent could be captured with more efficient land use. without any negative economic impact.

Emphasizing that this amount is equivalent to about 2 years of global emissions at current rates, the report noted that this will give the world much-needed time to decarbonise before greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reach levels critics.

The report noted that better allocation and management of land, water, and other natural resources could result in an annual increase of approximately $329 billion in income from farming, grazing, and forestry worldwide and sufficient additional production. of food to feed the world by 2050.

Noting that existing policies to reduce air pollution could be realized with cost savings of 60 percent, the report stressed that by implementing more efficient air pollution control policies, many more lives could be saved. with the same level of spending. (AA)