OECD Technical Expert Workshop on Modelling the Impact on Circular Economy and Low Carbon Transitions of the Covid-19 Recovery Packages
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has caused the worst economic contraction since the Great Depression, with, at times, more than a third of the global population being placed on lockdown. Those numerous lockdowns and measures enacted by national and local governments to ensure public health have put a substantial strain on economic activity, especially on the energy-related, construction, tourism, and mobility sectors. The recession has also had meaningful environmental implications. The unprecedented sharp fall in both demand and supply has led to a significant reduction in global environmental pressure, and some of these consequences are projected to last for a long time.
To tackle this economic crisis, OECD governments have allocated or are contemplating billions of dollars to Covid-19 recovery packages. These funds can potentially be used to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy. To investigate the relationship between the post Covid-19 economic recovery and the transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy, the OECD organised the Technical Expert Workshop on Modelling the Impact on Circular Economy and Low Carbon Transitions of the Covid-19 Recovery Packages in April 2021. The workshop was structured around four sessions that were spread over two days. The first two sessions discussed the quantification of the impacts of Covid-19 and Covid-19 recovery packages on the economy (session 1) and their implications on environmental pressure, climate change and the transition to a circular economy (session 2). Session 3 considered the incentives for a green recovery and policy options for stimulating green elements in recovery packages. The final session consisted of a panel of experts that brainstormed modelling approaches to assessing green recovery packages. The workshop finished with a summary of key take-aways of the workshop, and explored potential follow-up activities. The workshop was organised by the OECD with financial support from the European Union.
Day 1: 13 April 2021
Welcome and Opening Remarks: aims, expectations and structure of workshop:
Shardul Agrawala, OECD
Moderator: Shardul Agrawala, OECD
Presenter (15min):
Discussion (15min)
Moderator: Elisa Lanzi, OECD
Presenters:
Discussion (30 min)
Moderator: Frank van Tongeren, OECD
Presenters:
Discussion (30min)
Day 2: 14 April 2021
Moderator: Peter Börkey, OECD
Presenters:
Discussion (30min)
Moderator: Asa Johansson, OECD
Panel discussion with short opening statements (5min each):
Discussion (30min)
Summary conclusions by Stephen White (European Commission) and Rob Dellink (OECD).