Science policy frameworks for a post-pandemic green economic recovery

• DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2022.101035
• Publication Date: 2022-12-18T16:05:03Z
• Authors: Theodoros Zachari...; Elias Giannakis; Constantinos Tali...; Marios Karmellos; Nestor Fylaktos; Mark Howells; Will Blyth; Stéphane Hallegatte
• Keywords: Mechanical Engineering; 1. No poverty; Sustainable development goals; Energy systems model; 02 engineering and technology; 7. Clean energy; Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel trade; Climate-compatible growth; Stakeholder engagement; Article; 12. Responsible consumption; 13. Climate action; Multi-criteria decision analysis; 11. Sustainability; Input-output model; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; Engineering and Technology; HD9502-9502.5

As current production and consumption patterns exceed planetary boundaries, many leaders have stressed the need to adopt green economic stimulus policies in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper provides an integrated multi-stakeholder framework to design an economic recovery strategy aligned with climate stabilisation objectives. We first employ quantitative energy and economic models, and then a multi-criteria decision process in which we engage social actors from government, enterprises and civil society. As a case study, we select green recovery measures that are relevant for a European Union country and assess their appropriateness with numerous criteria related to climate resilience and socio-economic sustainability. Results highlight trade-offs between immediate and long-run effects, economic and environmental objectives, and expert evidence and societal priorities. Importantly, we find that a ‘return-to-normal’ economic stimulus is environmentally unsustainable and economically inferior to most green recovery schemes.