Sustainable development goal 13 and switching priorities: addressing climate change in the context of pandemic recovery efforts

Filho, Walter Leal; Minhas, Aprajita; Schmook, Birgit; Mardero, Sofia; Sharifi, Ayyoob; Paz, Shlomit; Kovaleva, Marina; Albertini, Maria Cristina; Skouloudis, Antonis

doi:10.1186/s12302-022-00701-4

Environmental Sciences Europe

Table 1 Examples of ‘green’ and ‘brown’ measures introduced in recovery packages of the selected economies

From: Sustainable development goal 13 and switching priorities: addressing climate change in the context of pandemic recovery efforts

Recovery package	Country	Green measures		References
Recovery package	Country	Yes	No	References
Approx. USD 510 billion relief packages	China	• No strong focus on construction projects that could lead to a spike of CO₂ emissions • Construction of additional battery-charging and swapping facilities • Promotion of wider use of electric and other clean energy automobiles • Promotion of cleaner and more efficient use of coal • Development of renewable energy • Improvement of systems for the production, supply, and sale of oil, natural gas, and electricity	• Investments in the fossil fuel sectors • Cancellation of civil aviation development fund contributions • Reduction of electricity prices for general industrial and commercial businesses	[25, 40]
Approx. USD 2.16 trillion stimulus package	European Union	• Support of modernization through policies that include research and innovation, among others, via fair climate transition • 30% of the funds for combating climate change • Commitment to propose a carbon border adjustment mechanism • Review of the EU Emissions Trading System		[39]
USD 70.5 billion nationwide economic recovery plan	Russia	One of the main orientations of the plan is sustainable economic growth, but the details have not yet been made public	Tax measures, loans, and government reliefs to support the most affected by the pandemic areas, among which are carbon-intensive industries	[41, 42]
Almost USD 4 trillion, government total support and USD 1.3 trillion as a new package	USA	• Significant investment in solar, wind, and energy storage, grid modernization • Phase-down of the use of hydrofluorocarbons • Weather-proofing of low-income households • Expansion of carbon capture and storage • Improvement of energy efficiency of schools and federal buildings	• USD 58 billion to support the national aviation industry	[43, 44]
1.1 trillion USD a fiscal stimulus package and a new USD 708 billion economic stimulus package	Japan	New package includes spending and initiatives aiming to reduce carbon emissions, including promotion of carbon neutrality, by 2050		[45, 46]
Approx. USD 157 billion stimulus program	Germany	• Promotion of hydrogen technology • Grants to reduce the surcharge levied on electricity consumers Increased investment in the carbon building renovation program • A higher target for expanding offshore wind power • Cancelling of the cap on solar power expansion		[47]
Up to USD 27 billion in direct support to workers and businesses and up to $750 million for a new Emissions Reduction Fund	Canada	New Emissions Reduction Fund to support workers and reduce emissions in Canada’s oil and gas sector, with a focus on methane		[48]

Back to article page