Other Worlds are Possible describes how the costs and benefits of global economic growth have been unfairly distributed, with those on lowest incomes getting the fewest benefits and paying the highest costs. A wide range of examples of more positive approaches are given from the wide, practical experience of the agencies in the coalition. Altogether they paint a picture of more qualitative development that is not dependent on further global over-consumption by the already rich, in the hope that crumbs of poverty alleviation are perhaps passed to those at the bottom of the income pile. The report includes radical economic proposals from leading economists based in developing countries that are already beginning to bear the human and economic costs of climate change.

Other Worlds are Possible? confirms that better ways to organise our economies, communities and livelihoods already surround us, and proposes that there are more choices about our collective economic future than many policy makers and regulators claim.

Other Worlds are Possible notes that difference between success and failure in the international climate negotiations will be whether governments and financial institutions continue to support old, failed economic approaches, with their policy frameworks and our financial resources, or whether they will move to encourage and replicate new approaches that take account of our changed economic and environmental circumstances. The report makes the case in compelling terms that there is not one model of economic development; there are many.