• There are some key policy changes that
could be implemented to help us combat climate
change, as economies start to rebuild after
COVID-19.
• These range from
installing 5G to cleaner public transport and home
working.
As countries worldwide have
started easing lockdowns imposed to curb the
coronavirus pandemic, what key policy changes
could get economies moving again, take advantage
of what we've learned, and set us up for another
big crisis - climate change?
Here are some
ideas being developed and tested:
Many people now know it's possible to work from
home and hold meetings virtually - but fast and
reliable broadband and mobile phone services make
that far easier.
With streets quieter
during coronavirus lockdowns, now is the time to
invest in installing more broadband cable, getting
5G systems working and laying the groundwork for a
digital future, say officials from Milan's mayor
to Chris Stark, chief executive of the UK's
Committee on Climate Change.
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Cities from London to New York, Barcelona and
Milan aim to expand space allotted for cyclists
and pedestrians, as more people head back to work,
in a bid to avoid crowded public transport systems
and packed sidewalks.
Switching more
road space to non-motorised travel could help hold
onto the cleaner air many cities have enjoyed
during lockdowns and encourage more people to
abandon petrol or diesel cars for healthier
alternatives, officials say.
Oil prices have plunged as Saudi Arabia and Russia
battle over which big producers should cut supply
most to shore up prices. Low prices and a growing
glut of stored oil risk delaying the shift to
clean energy needed to meet climate goals.
Levying
new carbon taxes on fossil fuels - and removing
subsidies for oil, gas and coal - could provide
much-needed income for cash-strapped cities,
states and countries as coronavirus shutdowns
slash other revenues, including sales tax.
"It's
quite a good time to use a tax on fossil fuels,"
noted Britain's Stark.
A switch to electric vehicles is already underway,
but easy access to charging stations is needed to
make it happen faster. Now is the time to invest
in getting that network in place, say officials
including the UK's Stark.
In the United
States, investing in long-range transmission
lines, to connect more wind and solar farms to the
grid systems of adjoining states, also could help
ensure the power to charge new electric cars and
trucks is green, said Dan Lashof of the
Washington-based World Resources Institute.
As governments mull where to spend economic
stimulus funding, using low-interest borrowing to
buy electric buses or make public transport more
effective and efficient could be a good way to get
people out of cars - and maintain at least some of
the air-quality improvements seen during virus
lockdowns.
"There's a massive
opportunity that we must take to rebuild the
economy in a way that's truly sustainable," said
David Miller, director of international diplomacy
for the C40 network of cities pushing for climate
action.
Low interest rates and the need for government
spending also mean it's a great time for
infrastructure projects that could shield us from
climate threats, said Betsy Otto of the global
water programme at the World Resources
Institute.
Building seawalls, dikes or other
protection against growing risks from flooding and
sea-level rise could save about $250 per $1 spent
in India by 2050, she said.
The impact of
coastal flooding over the next 60 years.
[Image: World Resources Institute]
"It's a huge return, and it creates jobs and
adds to local economies," said Otto, who led
development of Aqueduct, a global online water
risk assessment and mapping tool.
Social distancing is relatively easy while
planting trees, officials note, and as trees grow
and absorb carbon dioxide, they help stabilize
rainfall and keep climate change in check.
Social distancing is relatively easy
while planting trees, officials note, and as trees
grow and absorb carbon dioxide, they help
stabilize rainfall and keep climate change in
check.
During COVID19 shutdowns, some office-based
employees have discovered they can work
effectively at home. Putting policies in place to
encourage that to continue after the crisis, where
possible, could hold down emissions from
commuting, better maintain social distancing and
ease pressure on overloaded public transport
systems, experts say.
Virtual meetings can work, we have learned, even
if they aren't always as satisfying or effective
as gathering in person.
With the necessary
technology now tested and proven, companies,
governments and other groups committed to reducing
emissions could commit now to holding a percentage
of their future events and discussions online.
"This
is a very different world. I’m hoping we
will learn a lesson from it," said David King,
Britain's former chief scientist and special
representative for climate change, who said he was
getting more done instead of jetting off to
meetings.
The coronavirus pandemic and restrictions in
response to it have made clear how economically
vulnerable many people are - not just the poorest
but also some who might not previously have seen
themselves at risk.
Strengthening
systems now to move cash and other support to
vulnerable people - in richer countries as well as
the poorest ones - could build resilience to deal
with this crisis and future shocks too, experts
say.
"In both COVID19 and climate
change, it's the poorest and the vulnerable who
suffer most," noted John Roome, the World Bank's
sustainable development director for South
Asia.