A Green Recovery from COVID-19: Responding to the health crisis and the climate crisis in tandem

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The COVID-19 crisis has changed the world, creating massive economic disruption across the globe. According to analysis of recovery packages in 31 major economies and eight Multilateral Development Banks, the largest share of support committed to energy-producing and consuming activities has gone to fossil fuel-intensive sectors—42% of the total USD 800 billion as of July 21st, 2021. This is happening exactly at a time when urgent action must be taken to prevent locking the world into catastrophic climate change. To achieve sustainability commitments and objectives, countries must aim for a fossil-free recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

What can youth do to support a fossil-free recovery?

An in-person workshop in Munich on July 25th at the One Young World Summit, a global forum for young leaders, helped to answer that. Lourdes Sanchez, a senior policy advisor with IISD's Global Subsidies Initiative and lead-author of the recently published report Achieving a Fossil-Free Recovery, presented IISD’s five key steps for a fossil-free recovery. Further, an interactive session moderated by Silke Bölts discussed youth perspectives and ideas to drive action. Together, the participants developed their message to other global leaders to build back better and support the energy transition away from fossil fuels. 

Find more information about IISD's cooperation with young international environmental leaders here and find more information about the One Young World Summit here.