Tired of climate targets? Shift focus of IPCC scenarios from emission and growth targets to policies

Climate change has revived the debate on growth-versus-environment. In line with this, recently it has been proposed to shift the target focus of IPCC scenarios from emissions to post-growth. We argue here that this confounds ends and means, since while reduction of growth may be an outcome of good climate policies, it should not be a goal in itself. In fact, a post- or degrowth goal would mean an ineffective and costly way to reduce emissions. Instead, we suggest that the debate about pursuing economic growth versus achieving climate goals will become more transparent and policy-relevant through refocusing scenarios from targets to policy.

Automated summary

The debate between economic growth and the environment has been revived by climate change. There is a proposal to shift the focus of the IPCC scenarios from emissions reduction to post-growth. However, this confuses the distinction between ends and means, as aiming for post-growth as a goal would be an ineffective and costly way to reduce emissions. Instead, it is suggested that the debate should be focused on policies rather than targets, in order to achieve both economic growth and climate goals more effectively.