Why the SDGs, not GDP, are the real measure of economic progress

Phasing out fossil fuels will not happen unless we change how we measure growth – the UN sustainable development goals can help bring a different perspective

At COP28 in Dubai at the end of 2023, world leaders agreed to move away from fossil fuels. It is now imperative that the world advances beyond the traditional fossil fuel metrics of economic output epitomised by GDP if this pledge is to become more than words on paper.