Economic growth no longer linked to carbon emissions in most of the world, study finds

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/11/economic-growth-no-longer-linked-to-carbon-emissions-in-most-of-the-world-study-finds

65 points · 5 comments · view on lemmy.world

5 Comments

veganpizza69@lemmy.vg · 8 pts · 282d (2 replies)

"Decoupling" is a weak indicator and it's a reversible phenomenon. Don't rely on it.

UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 282d (1 reply)

There's a real trend in advanced alternative (primarily solar and wind) energy production that's had legs for over a decade and proven a more profitable and stable model of electricity production than fossil fuel imports. And electrification as a measure of economic growth has been a benchmark for over a century.

The continued growth of emissions overall is still a huge problem. But this shift in development patterns has a second-order impact on public policy. As states recognize they need more energy but don't need more coal/gas to modernize, they can and will shift their public spending practices accordingly.

Particularly for the BRICS, this is a big deal. You're talking about billions of future energy consumers who are no longer equating a higher quality of life with a larger carbon footprint.

veganpizza69@lemmy.vg · 2 pts · 280d

I will believe it when I see the fossil fuels go down: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/global-energy-substitution

Lembot_0006@programming.dev · 6 pts · 282d

Yes, in many economically developed countries "economics" is based on banks and similar shit that just makes money from money. No real consumer products manufacturing is involved.

AntiBullyRanger@ani.social · 2 pts · 282d

it never was