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The focus on climate doom distracts from real, solvable problems. For the cost of one year of the EU’s climate policies, we could provide clean drinking water and sanitation to every person on the planet.

Bjørn Lomborg

*Cool It* (book and documentary), 2007/2010 · Checked on 3 March 2026
The focus on climate doom distracts from real, solvable problems. For the cost of one year of the EU’s climate policies, we could provide clean drinking water and sanitation to every person on the planet.

Analysis

EU climate policy spending in a given year is roughly €100‑150 billion, while the UN estimates that achieving universal access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation requires about $100‑130 billion annually. While the figures are of a similar order of magnitude, Lomborg’s statement ignores the broader benefits of climate policies and the uncertainties in both cost calculations, making the comparison misleading.

Background

Bjørn Lomborg is known for using cost‑benefit arguments to critique climate action. The EU’s climate budget includes funds for the Emissions Trading System, the European Green Deal, and various national measures. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 targets estimate the investment needed to provide clean water and sanitation worldwide.

Verdict summary

The claim conflates different cost estimates and overstates the comparison between EU climate spending and the cost of universal water and sanitation.

Sources consulted

— European Commission, "EU climate action budget 2023" (approx. €100‑150 bn per year)
— UN Water, "Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 2023" – $114 bn annual investment needed
— World Bank, "The World Bank’s estimate of the cost of universal water and sanitation"