Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has changed his tune on climate change, now claiming it “will not lead to humanity’s demise” and calling for a rethink in how the world tackles global warming.

In a memo released this week, Gates argued that prioritising the fight against rising temperatures above all else risks overshadowing human health, equality and poverty alleviation.

“Although climate change will have serious consequences, particularly for people in the poorest countries, it will not lead to humanity’s demise,” he wrote. “People will be able to live and thrive in most places on Earth for the foreseeable future.”

Gates has long been a vocal advocate for climate action, authoring How to Avoid a Climate Disaster in 2021 and investing billions through his Breakthrough Energy initiative.

But his latest comments call for a “strategic pivot”, urging governments and investors to focus on solutions that improve human welfare alongside emissions reductions.

Bushfires below Stacks Bluff, Tasmania, Australia

Gates outlined three key points: climate change will not end civilisation, limiting temperature alone is not the best measure of progress, and health and prosperity are critical defences against climate destabilisation.

He also highlighted progress in cutting emissions and stressed the need to reduce the “green premium” – the extra cost of clean technologies – to zero for materials such as cement, steel and jet fuel.

The timing of Gates’ intervention is notable, coming days ahead of COP30 in Brazil, where climate adaptation and human development are expected to be central themes.

Gates emphasised that investments in health, agriculture and resilient infrastructure are essential to protect vulnerable populations from extreme weather.

But critics have challenged Gates’ view.

Rachel Cleetus of the Union of Concerned Scientists said his memo creates a “false choice” between reducing emissions and improving lives.

She pointed to increasingly severe climate-related disasters as evidence that the two objectives are intrinsically linked.

Gates acknowledged potential accusations of hypocrisy over his personal carbon footprint but said he offsets emissions with legitimate credits.

“I’m a climate activist, but I’m also a child survival activist,” he said.