A government roadmap for addressing the climate and post COVID-19 economic crises

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents the world with an unprecedented policy challenge for effective economic stimulus in the unchartered territory: not only will it have a severe impact on the global economy likely to exceed that of both the 2008-09 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the Great Depression, it will take place against the backdrop of the ongoing climate crisis.

In acknowledging the magnitude of this unprecedented challenge, this report highlights that the priority for governments must first be the immediate emergency response focussing on saving lives, supporting health infrastructure, food availability, and the many other urgent social and economic support measures such as short-term job allowances, direct cash handouts to citizens, or targeted liquidity support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).