Targeted Green Recovery Measures in a Post-COVID-19 World Enable the Energy Transition

Ioannis Dafnomilis, Hsing-Hsuan Chen, Michel G J den Elzen, Panagiotis Fragkos, Unnada Chewpreecha, Heleen van Soest, Kostas Fragkiadakis, Panagiotis Karkatsoulis, Leonidas Paroussas, Harmen Sytze de Boer, Vassilis Daioglou, Oreane Edelenbosch, Bence Kiss-Dobronyi, Detlef van Vuuren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Despite the significant volume of fiscal recovery measures announced by countries to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, most recovery plans allocate a low percentage to green recovery. We present scenarios exploring the medium- and long-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis and develop a Green Recovery scenario using three well-established global models to analyze the impact of a low-carbon focused stimulus. The results show that a Green Recovery scenario, with 1% of global GDP in fiscal support directed to mitigation measures for 3 years, could reduce global CO2 emissions by 10.5–15.5% below pre-COVID-19 projections by 2030, closing 8–11.5% of the emissions gap with cost-optimal 2°C pathways. The share of renewables in global electricity generation is projected to reach 45% in 2030, the uptake of electric vehicles would be accelerated, and energy efficiency in the buildings and industry sector would improve. However, such a temporary investment should be reinforced with sustained climate policies after 2023 to put the world on a 2°C pathway by mid-century.
Original languageEnglish
Article number840933
Pages (from-to)1-13
JournalFrontiers in Climate
Volume4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jun 2022

Keywords

  • CO emissions
  • COVID-19
  • Paris Agreement
  • energy transition
  • green recovery
  • green stimulus

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