Effective compliance with the climate and environmental goals of the Paris Agreement could lift 175 million people out of extreme poverty by 2035.
The projection was made by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
This figure represents a direct impact between climate action and global social development.
The emission reduction committed by countries would contribute the equivalent of 0.23% of the global annual GDP to the world economy.
This was detailed by Marcos Neto, head of the UNDP Policy Office and Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, in an interview with Agencia EFE.
Neto is participating in the Pre-COP30, a preparatory event bringing together delegates from around fifty countries in Brasilia before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to be held next November in Belém, the “Gateway to the Amazon” in Brazil.
Countries add higher quality to their climate goals
So far, 67 countries have submitted their emission reduction goals for 2035, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
Although the number may seem low, Neto downplayed the delay: by the end of this year, the participation of 110 countries is projected.
In addition, dozens more will do so in the first half of 2026, even though the initial deadline was set for February 2025.
“96% of the submitted NDCs have goals for energy transition,” Neto pointed out.
He also highlights that 93% of these “mention improving the social situation of indigenous peoples, women, and the poorest communities.”
Thus, the new contributions go beyond the strictly environmental framework and incorporate social, economic, and energy dimensions absent in previous commitments.
Another relevant aspect revolves around financing: in their NDCs, countries not only consider resources from government budgets to meet their goals
There is also an increased search for private capital in climate initiatives, especially for energy transition.
It’s not a lack of money, but alignment to meet climate goals
Neto believes that financing for less developed countries in their climate change efforts “is not so difficult” to solve.
"In the world economy, 463,000 billion dollars circulate each year," he detailed.
Therefore, he believes that “it’s not a lack of money, but aligning accounts” according to environmental goals.
In this context, the official emphasized the need for greater presence of the private sector.
Because it has key instruments for financing such as green bonds and other innovative mechanisms.
In this context, he highlighted the Forever Tropical Forest Fund (TFFF) that Brazil will present at COP30.
This fund aims to raise 125,000 billion dollars from governments and private investors, reinvested in sovereign bonds or corporate bonds.
Brazil estimates that it would generate an annual return of 4,000 billion dollars, distributed among tropical countries that preserve their forests.
Integration between economy, climate, and social development
Neto believes that the world already accepts the “intimate link” between environmental issues, economic processes, energy transition, and social development.
“There is no longer a way to segment things” and “governments are beginning to understand this”, he stated.
As an example, he mentioned that the discussion at COP30 coincides with what will be discussed at the Summit on Social Development, scheduled between November 4 and 6 in Doha.
According to the official, these dynamics demonstrate that the multilateral system is holding up despite the current crisis.
“Multilateralism is under enormous pressure, but it is not dead,” he assured, emphasizing that “the potential of the UN is very significant.”
