Building back better: Is green growth the answer?

17 Jun 2021 03:46 PM

EXPERT COMMENT

The G7 plan for a green recovery based on green growth creates a paradox which should be addressed by the principles of efficiency, sufficiency and fairness.

This year has been coined a ‘super year‘ for the environment, meaning there has never been a better time to deliver a global green recovery. G7 leaders have committed to a new partnership to build back better for the world (B3W). For the partnership to become a progressive, future-proof alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, it will need to develop real solutions that tackle climate change, build sustainable and inclusive infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries, and address growing social challenges.

Despite some progress, the G7 have so far failed to adequately commit to the urgent need to tackle ever growing natural resource consumption and generation of waste – the primary drivers of climate change, biodiversity loss and many other environmental and geopolitical challenges.

Looking beyond the G7 towards upcoming summits, such as COP26 and the G20, this article will outline three principles for a truly global green recovery: efficiency, sufficiency and fairness.

Click here to continue reading the full version of this Expert Comment on the Chatham House website.