Climate change

Transforming Recovery into a Green Future

This statement, prepared by the Task Force on Green Recovery of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission provides some initial reflections on key priorities to support a green, fair and resilient recovery from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious setback for sustainable development, but United Nations (UN) Member States should not scale back their ambition. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the worst economic contraction since the Great Depression.1 The Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement (Paris Agreement) provide the longterm vision and remain “The Future we Want.”2,3 They provide a roadmap for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient recovery. Beyond fiscal expansion that boost aggregate demand, this crisis calls for transformative public investments that shape a sustainable, fair, and digital transition, and leverage private sector investment.

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