Accelerating an Equitable Transition

The report argues that the green transition risks exacerbating existing inequalities if fairness is not a foundational principle. It introduces a matrix that intersects seven green transition dimensions (such as scaling low-carbon energy and greening heavy industry) with five economic equity dimensions (employment, affordability, accessibility, financing, and capacity). The framework highlights specific risks, such as the potential loss of 13 million energy-related jobs due to fossil fuel phase-outs and the disproportionate impact of carbon taxes on low-income households. It concludes that public-private collaboration is essential to ensure that the shift to net zero does not leave vulnerable populations behind.

• Global carbon inequality has shifted from being primarily between-country to primarily within-country; in 2019, 64% of global carbon inequality was due to within-country gaps, compared to 62% due to between-country divides in 1990.
• The green economy is expected to have a net-positive impact of approximately 25 million additional jobs globally by 2030, though this includes the creation of 103 million new jobs and the loss of 78 million jobs.
• Carbon pricing can disproportionately affect low-income groups; for example, a US Congressional Budget Office study found a $28 per metric tonne carbon tax on CO2 emissions affected lower-income households 2.5 times more than those in the highest income quintile.
• There is a significant gap in climate finance; the average annual need by 2030 is estimated at $9 trillion, while current flows are only $1.3 trillion.
• Green technology innovation is highly concentrated, with Japan, the United States, Republic of Korea, Germany, and China accounting for 85% of all green patents held by industrial firms in 2022.
• Regenerative agriculture could create up to 5 million new jobs by 2040 in Africa and potentially provide farmers with a 15-25% return on investment.
• The transition to a circular economy is expected to create a net 6 million jobs, although it may disrupt existing waste-management value chains, particularly in Africa and Asia-Pacific.
• Stranded asset write-offs resulting from the shift away from fossil fuels are estimated to reach between $1 trillion and $4 trillion, with a high concentration in developing economies.

APA

World Economic Forum (2024). Accelerating an Equitable Transition. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Accelerating_an_Equitable_Transition_A_Framework_for_Economic_Equity_2024.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Accelerating an Equitable Transition. 2024. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Accelerating_an_Equitable_Transition_A_Framework_for_Economic_Equity_2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Accelerating an Equitable Transition |date=January 2024 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Accelerating_an_Equitable_Transition_A_Framework_for_Economic_Equity_2024.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2024accelerating, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Accelerating an Equitable Transition}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2024}, month = jan, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Accelerating_an_Equitable_Transition_A_Framework_for_Economic_Equity_2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }