By Abdullahi lukman
The president of global climate talks warns of a new form of climate denial emerging, focusing on economic resistance to climate action rather than outright scientific dismissal.
André Corrêa do Lago, set to direct this year’s UN summit, Cop30, believes a key challenge will be countering efforts by vested interests to undermine policies aimed at transitioning the global economy to a low-carbon future.
This “economic denial” is seen as potentially as damaging and delaying as previous attempts to deny climate science.
Corrêa do Lago emphasizes that as the scientific consensus on climate change strengthens, the opposition has shifted from discrediting science to challenging the economic viability and benefits of climate policies.
He argues it is crucial to demonstrate that moving away from fossil fuels can lead to economic advantages and an improved quality of life.
The rise of populism, exemplified by policies like those of Donald Trump, has fueled this backlash against climate action.
An economist by training, Corrêa do Lago believes economic solutions are paramount, stressing the need for economists to actively engage in developing climate policy.
He points to research, such as the 2006 Stern Review and a recent OECD/UNDP report, which indicates that tackling climate change can actually boost economic growth.
However, he notes that mainstream economic thinking often fails to adequately incorporate climate impacts.
Looking ahead to Cop30 in November, Corrêa do Lago faces the daunting task of guiding 196 nations to produce new national greenhouse gas emission plans.
Geopolitical challenges, including the withdrawal of some nations from climate agreements and the potential for disruption from petrostates and populist governments, further complicate efforts.
Despite these hurdles, Corrêa do Lago hopes for a global consensus to address the climate crisis, drawing parallels to the successful international effort to tackle the ozone layer depletion.
The alternative, he warns, is accelerated climate change.
