The September 2022 edition of the Chief Economists Outlook launches at a time of significant economic danger. Inflation has surged to levels not seen in a generation and expectations for growth have been pared back in all regions. Real wages and consumer confidence are in freefall, adding further headwinds to growth and even raising the prospect of social unrest. Domestically and globally, we are in uncharted waters. As our latest survey of Chief Economists makes clear, there

- Capital earmarked for sustainable investment has been growing dramatically, even during COVID-19, reaching more than $35 trillion. - Yet, well over 95% of this pool remains in developed economies. The challenge is to get this capital to where it is most needed: productive investments in developing economies. - The launch of the World Investment for Development Alliance (WIDA) at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2022 aims to meet this challenge. When investing is su

- Sustaining our current consumption levels would require the resources of 2.3 planets by 2050. - Shifting to a circular economy, where we reduce, reuse and recycle, can decouple the world's growth from consumption. - A push for circularity in construction and cities can create jobs and reduce waste and carbon emissions. Our global economy is growing, reaching an unprecedented $94 trillion in 2021 – with rising population, urbanization and living standards. Our challenge now

The promise of TradeTech: Policy approaches to harness trade digitalization Technology has always propelled trade. From the invention of the steam engine and steamship in the 1700s, the popularization of the standard shipping container in the 1950s, and the rise of the internet in the 1990s, technology has over the centuries profoundly changed the way we trade. Today, emerging technologies and digitalization are changing trade at a speed much faster than before – leading to b

Here are five developments to watch this year that will be critical to debates on making trade more sustainable: new trade initiatives, a global treaty on plastic pollution, the first World Circular Economy Forum in Africa, EU policy proposals, and Stockholm+50, a global environment gathering. Trade accounts for 50% of global GDP, making it a significant economic driver. That means trade – around two-thirds of which is conducted across value chains – plays a big role in shapi

There is disagreement among countries on how international rules should address the cross-border spillover effects of increased government intervention in national economies. As a result, trade tensions have arisen. This paper outlines the state of play and issues of concern in the areas of subsidies, state ownership and control, public procurement, investment screening and controls, and the use of trade remedies. It emphasizes the need for intergovernmental discussions to up