“The faster the economy is growing, the more aggressively you need to move on decarbonizing the energy system.” –Edgar G. HertwichThe article presents evidence to buttress those assertions. Energy system decarbonization and productivity growth were the primary carbon-reduction mechanisms at higher and lower development levels, respectively. A 1% annual increase in the share of renewable energy used in energy supply was associated with a 1.5% yearly decrease in CO2 emissions per capita on average. “People often assume that if you clean up your energy system more rapidly, then you will run the risk of having slower economic growth. “People often assume that if you clean up your energy system more rapidly, then you will run the risk of having slower economic growth.