Felipe Calderón emphasizes importance of generating economic growth while fighting climate change during IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón addressed delegates attending the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. He introduced the work of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, which he chairs, and the New Climate Economy, its flagship project.

The Commission is comprised of leaders from government, finance and business. It was established by a group of seven countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Norway, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom as an independent initiative to report to the international community. The New Climate Economy project will analyze and communicate the economic benefits and costs of acting on climate change.

During the event Felipe Calderón highlighted that it will be much easier to fight climate change if doing so creates jobs:

"Recent reports have closed the scientific debate on climate change, it is happening, and it is happening now."

"The New Climate Economy project is searching for the best opportunities to strengthen both economic growth and reduce climate risk at the same time."

"The New Climate Economy project is an ambitious one because we believe that is what the world needs."

He went on to highlight how, through research and engagement with governments and businesses, the Global Commission could contribute to building a New Climate Economy.

Jeremy Oppenheim, Programme Director for the New Climate Economy project, said: "we are grateful for the leadership provided by President Calderón. Researchers on every continent are working to provide the insights to realize this vision and build a new climate economy."

The New Climate Economy project will publish a final report drawing on research from multiple countries, as well as studies of different global drivers of economic growth, in September 2014 ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit. The Global Commission will then take its findings and recommendations directly to heads of government, finance and economic ministers, business leaders and investors throughout the world.

Notes to Editors:

The New Climate Economy is the flagship project of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate. It is examining how countries can achieve economic growth while dealing with the risks posed by climate change.

Chaired by Felipe Calderón, the Commission is comprised of leaders from government, finance and business from 16 countries. It is advised by a panel of World-leading economists.

A partnership of research institutes from six continents, will carry out analysis to inform recommendations on how to achieve global economic growth and deal with climate risk.  These are: the Climate Policy Initiative (US), Ethiopian Development Research Institute (Ethiopia), Global Green Growth Institute (South Korea), Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (India), LSE Cities (UK), Stockholm Environment Institute (Sweden), Tsinghua University (China), and World Resources Institute (US).

Each spring, government officials, journalists, civil society organizations, and invited participants from academia and the private sector, gather in Washington DC for the Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group. At the heart of the gathering are meetings of the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee and the joint World Bank-IMF Development Committee, which discuss progress on the work of the IMF and the World Bank Group. Also featured are seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world's financial markets.

For more information go to www.NewClimateEconomy.net.

For media inquiries contact:

Felipe Benitez at [email protected] +1-202-215-9664

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140410/DC03321

SOURCE New Climate Economy