Nicholas Stern

London School of Economics and Political Science

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Nicholas Stern is a towering figure in the economics of climate change, whose work has fundamentally reshaped how we understand the relationship between environmental action and economic growth. His key research areas span climate change economics, sustainable development, and growth theory. Stern’s most profound contribution is demonstrating that strong climate action does not hinder economic prosperity—rather, it can enhance growth and societal well-being. His seminal 2023 paper, "Climate change and growth" (65 citations), systematically dismantles models that posit an inevitable trade-off between environmental policy and economic expansion, revealing their analytical flaws. As the author of the landmark 2006 Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, he pioneered the argument that the costs of inaction far exceed the costs of mitigation. With tens of thousands of citations across his career, Stern’s work has influenced global policy, including the Paris Agreement. His legacy is a powerful, evidence-based case that combating climate change is not a burden on growth but an engine for a more prosperous, equitable future.