Growing support for a green economic recovery after coronavirus pandemic
Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.
Governments worldwide are preparing their
stimulus plans to counterbalance the economic “tsunami” caused by coronavirus
pandemic. These economic incentives offer an excellent opportunity to build a
just and sustainable economic system. Last weeks, many voices from different sectors
and tiers are calling for a green recovery. The BioRefineries Blog joins this
flow echoing two high-profile examples.
Figure 1. Voices
call for a green recovery after coronavirus pandemic (extracted from the
document “Green Recovery Call to Action and
Signatories”)
Europe – Green recovery alliance
One week ago, the “green recovery alliance” was
launched at the initiative of Pascal Canfin, a French MEP who chairs the
European Parliament’s committee on environment and public health. In addition
to 79 MEPs, the alliance also brings together civil society groups, including
37 CEOs (Acciona, Danone, Ikea, H&M, Neste, Unilever…), 28 business
associations, the European trade union confederation, 7 NGOs and 6 think tanks.
Signatories are calling for a worldwide alliance of politicians,
decision-makers, business leaders, trade unions, and civil society groups to support
a green transition after the pandemic. I quote: “The transition to a
climate-neutral economy, the protection of biodiversity and the transformation
of agri-food systems have the potential to rapidly deliver jobs, growth and
improve the way of life of all citizens worldwide, and to contribute to
building more resilient societies.”.
“Green Recovery Call to Action and Signatories”, 13/4/2020.
Canada – Open letter of Canadian clean energy leaders
In early April, a broad group of Canadian clean
energy and cleantech industries and non-profit leaders in climate and energy
policy called on the federal government to support secure jobs in a cleaner,
innovative and diverse economy. They delivered a letter to Prime Minister outlining
three recommendations that would help Canada emerge from the COVID crisis with
a stronger, more resilient economy: (1) signalling climate policy continuity
and enhancement; (2) sufficient, sustained and sustainable stimulus; (3) moving
quickly to support clean energy solutions through existing initiatives and
programs.
“Open
letter and its signatories”, 3/4/2020.