Read on Twitter
THREAD. (1) We need a debate on how to design stimulus packages to boost economic recovery that doesn't contradict Paris #climate goals but supports them. This thread tries to capture this debate and create a reading list for those interested in it.
(2) I will post articles both in German and English, try to cover many debates in different countries and update the list regularly. Please feel free to DM me to share articles & complement this list!
(3) As we move from debating principles to specific ideas, I hope sharing examples of good (and bad) practice will inform debates in different countries. If you have technical advice/ suggestions, please DM me.
(4) @IEA Exec Director @IEABirol contributed early (03-17) with a passionate plea to "clean energy at the heart of stimulus" worldwide, calling for large investments in #solar # wind #hydrogen #storage #ccus to use "historic opportunity": https://www.iea.org/commentaries/put-clean-energy-at-the-heart-of-stimulus-plans-to-counter-the-coronavirus-crisis
(5) @DLashof @worldresources outlined on March 17 a three-part strategy similar to foes_news: do no harm (avoid carbon lock-ins), make win-win investments in "shovel-ready" projects and focus long-term spending on low-carbon investments https://www.wri.org/blog/2020/03/coronavirus-US-economic-stimulus
(6) (German) @wupperinst published a paper March 17 by M Fischedick and @UweSchneidewind making the case for a focus on potentials for synergies with future challenges to avoid "trading" a short-term crisis for a climate crisis of much larger scale. https://wupperinst.org/a/wi/a/s/ad/5020/
(7) (German) @SusanneGoetze warns climate policy is likely to take backseat in recovery & needed green investments likely be postponed. Opponents of climate policy already taking aim at EU Green Deal, air traffic tax, CO2 performance standards, etc. https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/klimapaket-der-bundesregierung-wie-die-corona-krise-die-klimapolitik-ausbremsen-koennte-a-4c0f36a0-68ca-43ac-866f-1fcc9cbb884d
(8) Our own @foes_news Policy Brief, published March 23, argues why mistakes from past economic crises must be avoided. Using examples, we tried to illustrate how to align short-term recovery and long-term green transformation German & engl. versions here: https://twitter.com/foes_news/status/1241986837478080513
(9) @NaomiAKlein makes her case in @theintercept about the dangers of "coronavirus capitalism" & the crisis being used to bolster powerful and carbon-intensive industries (particularly in the USA). https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/coronavirus-capitalism/
(10) Bill @lazonick et al. discuss how the US economy can use crisis response to create conditions for a sustainable & equitable future: conditions on govt help for big businesses to make them focus on productive uses, not bonuses & stock buybacks https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/4-ways-to-eradicate-the-corporate-disease-that-is-worsening-the-covid-19-pandemic
(11) As EU govts and @ECB prepare rescue packages, they are being called upon to attach "green strings" to them, e.g. by Ronan Palmer @Ronan_wifi @e3g https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/governments-urged-to-attach-green-strings-to-long-term-coronavirus-recovery-plans/
(12) @E3G @KateLLevick @Ronan_wifi provide an overview on the financial dimension of stimulus packages worldwide and emphasise the "extraordinary opportunity for the world to put large-scale finance into building the future economy" https://www.e3g.org/library/financing-the-COVID-19-recovery
(13) @economist shows how CO2 emissions after past crises quickly "made up" drops during economic slumps due to low fossil fuel prices and environmentally harmful stimuli by governments. Authors advocate focusing money today on climate-friendly industries https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2020/03/26/the-epidemic-provides-a-chance-to-do-good-by-the-climate
(14) @nef CEO Miatta Fahnbulleh @Miatsf emphasises we shouldn't aim to "go back" to the same economy we had before the crisis. She's arguing for a collaborative approach to a recovery plan that meets social needs as well as climate goals. https://neweconomics.org/2020/03/building-a-future-that-puts-people-first-and-allows-us-to-feel-hope-again
(15) @FredSimonEU @euractiv reporting on March 26 @EUCouncil: the EU's Green Deal is alive, EU's response should advance "sustainable growth" & focus on green transition and digital transformation https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-leaders-back-green-transition-in-pandemic-recovery-plan/
(16) At the same time, environmental policy rollbacks are underway in the USA. @RebeccaBeitsch shows #Trump admin. using the crisis as pretext to suspend enforcement ( https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/489753-epa-suspends-enforcement-of-environmental-laws-amid-coronavirus) & boost fracking industry #fossil fuels ( https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/overnights/489933-overnight-energy-court-oks-trump-repeal-of-obama-public)
(17) Environmental policy rollbacks #2: Lower emission standards for cars are debated in China ( https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-18/china-s-rethink-on-car-pollution-may-signal-a-retreat-on-climate) & EU ( https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/27/carmakers-accused-of-using-covid-19-weaken-environmental-laws). In the USA, the longer-planned drastic rollback of standards was implemented end of March https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/opinion/trump-fuel-efficiency-standards.html
(18) (German) @UweSchneidewind points out post-crisis research questions: on vulnerability of global supply chains; economics of health policy, basic income, opportunities of digital work or how to foster solidarity & cooperation beyond the nation-state https://merton-magazin.de/der-krisenschub
(19) @fredSimonEU @euractiv gives insight into how the @ECB could "print green money" & what it could do short vs long-term & how this relates to the European response to the crisis https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/linksdossier/explainer-how-the-ecb-can-print-green-money/
(20) (German) @umweltbundesamt president @dirkmessner making the case in interview w @mbauchmueller why the post-crisis reboot holds chances for the climate and we need to discuss now how to reap these chances https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/corona-klima-umweltbundesamt-1.4860713
(21) Peter Baker shows in @guardian how corona & #climatecrisis are related: both foreseen by science, ignored by govts; both require vast #cooperation & action now for betterment in the future. In essence: long-term thinking in a short-term thinking world https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/31/how-will-the-world-emerge-from-the-coronavirus-crisis
(22) (German) @umweltbundesamt starts "Corona Sustainability Compass". @dirkmessner emphasises crisis holds potential for renewal & that innovations we need are already there or at least known https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/risiken-chancen-im-umgang-der-corona-krise
(23) @ottoscharmer1 points out how big data helped some countries keeping infections low, how it can help self-awareness & strengthen collective action by citizens (also on climate change!). What's needed: a global conversation on civilisational renewal! https://medium.com/presencing-institute-blog/eight-emerging-lessons-from-coronavirus-to-climate-action-683c39c10e8b
(24) @FinancialTimes editorial board warns gov response might make matters worse; calls for debate on more active role of govt in the economy, redistribution, privileges of the wealthy, basic income & wealth taxes. Alternative to paywall here: https://www.reddit.com/r/neoliberal/comments/fugbg5/virus_lays_bare_the_frailty_of_the_social_contract/
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