LONDON/BRUSSELS — Despite mounting pressure for economic rescue packages to be used to tackle climate change, most of the money spent so far on overcoming the coronavirus pandemic has gone towards propping up business as usual, according to three studies. But what comes next may be more important for the climate, as governments move from emergency mode and start planning – and spending – for a post-COVID-19 recovery. "There are a lot of different groups who are watching whether stimulus efforts are going to help or hurt the climate," said Joel Jaeger, research associate at the World Resources Institute in Washington DC. "They are all coming to the same conclusion: the response so far has not been very green." The pandemic has already prompted the United States, Europe, China, Japan and others to commit trillions in stimulus funds, with further colossal injections expected within 18 months.

Source: International New York Times July 17, 2020 14:37 UTC