Marcelo Mena: The economic benefits of climate action 

The economic benefits of climate action 

Marcelo Mena, the former environment minister of Chile, is on a mission to create a zero-emission economy in his country by 2050. In a conversation about climate action, he discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic is changing Chile's ambitious plan to tackle climate change -- and explains why the green recovery needs to be powered by both political leaders and citizens alike. (This virtual conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers and global curator Bruno Giussani, was recorded on May 26, 2020.)

Ambitious climate goals have transformed Chile into a global leader, showing that cutting emissions can power economic opportunity. Despite social unrest and pandemic challenges, the country committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, surpassing its renewable targets far ahead of schedule. A cleaner energy system brought down costs and improved public health—Santiago’s car emissions dropped by up to 90 percent during lockdown. Chile’s journey highlights the power of public demand, political will, and industry cooperation to reshape economies for a sustainable future.