Mar 4, 2022 - Energy & Climate
Study: COVID recovery spending has not been green
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New analysis shows how badly most nations' economic responses to COVID-19 have failed to heed calls for green-tinted recovery.
Driving the news: The study in Nature, conducted by Johns Hopkins University analysts, explores $14 trillion-plus in G20 stimulus and recovery packages.
- Under $1 trillion went to programs that cut emissions directly (renewables, EV support or grants for efficient heating, etc.) or even indirectly, with most in the latter camp.
- The vast majority, 91%, did not seek to shift emissions, the researchers found.
Threat level: "[A]lmost 3% of stimulus funding has targeted activities that are likely to increase global emissions, such as subsidizing the coal industry."
The bottom line: "There is still time for improvement."
