Expectations were that the focus in 2020 would be on enhancing the national commitments under the Paris Agreement. Then, COVID-19 changed everything. However, the climate crisis has not gone away. The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the current global economic system. Both the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis are symptoms of a deeper sustainability crisis affecting our socio-economic system. COVID-19 recovery plans create an opportunity to build back better, and surveys show that there is public support for greening COVID-19 recovery plans.
This report reviews Green Deal experiences following the 2008-2009 global financial crisis and provides recommendations on how to design recovery packages that combine COVID-19 recovery with climate action. Recommendations include:
- Developing locally appropriate Green Deals tailored to meet the needs and opportunities of each country.
- Applying green stimulus priorities that maximise the share of green and low-carbon measures, support the green restructuring of brown firms, and do not reverse existing green or climate action policies to protect brown jobs.
- Transitioning fossil fuel subsidies to renewable energy subsidies.
- Setting ambitious targets as part of recovery packages or “green deals”.
- Aligning with climate and green growth strategies and plans, including NDCs, LT-LEDS, and green growth strategies.
- Phasing out coal.
- Stimulating green innovation and green jobs through retraining, green entrepreneurship incubation programs, and subsidies for green jobs created by start-ups.
- Combining digital and green new deals.
- Promoting nature-based solutions through employment-based social assistance programs.
- Accelerating solar-powered irrigation.
- Upgrading health facilities with clean energy.