Policies designed to address climate change have been met with limited success. Multilateral treaties, agreements and frameworks linked to the UN and COP meetings have so far failed to limit the rise in average global temperature. Rethinking Climate Policy suggests that one of the most important reasons for this is that we are looking at the economics of climate change in the wrong way, arguing that we need to look at climate change as a problem of resource creation, not resource allocation. It identifies problems in current climate policymaking, breaking many taboos in standard economics, to offer a bold proposal for effective and achievable public policy to achieve a zero-carbon economy. Underpinned by both a sound economic and complex systems analysis, this book develops a groundbreaking metric of economic resilience to measure the capacity of economies to transform without breaking down and accordingly how to best design climate policies.

‘This is a valuable contribution to a hugely important debate, articulating the need for governments and legislators to help manage risks to ensure all groups in society can share the returns in an equitable and fair zero-carbon transition.’Baroness Hayman, GBE, former Lord Speaker; Chair, Peers for the Planet

‘This book sets out an evidence-based approach for designing realistic climate policy strategies for countries that not only address climate change, but do so in a way that maintains resilient societies, avoids policy reversals, understands the constraints of different countries and promotes international cooperation. A roadmap for delivering the change required – ensuring clean growth can be scaled at the speed we need.’Chris Skidmore, Chair, ‘Mission Zero – The Net Zero Review’; Chair, Centre for Economic Transition Expertise, Grantham Research Institute

‘This book provides a rigorous and thought-provoking framework for addressing the pressing challenges of climate change at a time when the world stands at a critical crossroads. The volume advances a lucid, evidence-based pathway that supports even greater ambition in the pursuit of a more sustainable and secure planet. Its analysis offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers and practitioners seeking innovative economic and policy approaches to drive transformative climate action.’Youba Sokona, former IPCC Vice Chair