The report Are We Building Back Better?, led by the University of Oxford’s Economic Recovery Project and the UN Environment Programme, shows that out of the 50 countries surveyed only a handful are on the path towards a more sustainable Covid-19 pandemic recovery.

The study also reveals a divide between advanced and emerging markets when it comes to the areas of investment being prioritised in this recovery. In the case of advanced economies, green spending was split between a wide range of policy areas, whereas in emerging markets the funds went mainly towards clean energy and natural capital projects.

The projects analysed in the report are all linked to the pandemic and were made in 2020, totalling $14.6trn, of which only $368bn corresponded to green projects, and $341bn – or about 18% – was both green and oriented to economic recovery.

Out of these green-oriented projects, $28.9bn corresponded to green research and development as part of pandemic recovery spending, with France, South Korea, Germany and Spain taking the lead.

Meanwhile, low-carbon energy projects accounted for $66.1bn of pandemic recovery-announced funds, mainly linked to Spanish and German subsidies for renewable energy projects and hydrogen and infrastructure investments.

Despite these findings, Brian O’Callaghan, lead researcher at the Oxford University Economic Recovery Project and the report’s author, believes that countries still have the time to make greener choices in their recovery plans for a more sustainable future.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“Despite positive steps towards a sustainable Covid-19 recovery from a few leading countries, the world has so far fallen short of matching aspirations to build back better,” he said. “But opportunities to spend wisely on recovery are not yet over. Governments can use this moment to secure long-term economic, social and environmental prosperity.”