Are We Building Back Better?

Just over a year ago, as COVID-19 was causing personal, social and economic devastation across the world, government leaders were quick to announce their plans to “build back better” as part of a green recovery.

At the time, we all listened. But were we too quick to take these statements at face value? 12 months on, have governments really been matching these commitments with action on the ground?

The Green Renaissance: How to Rebuild the Global Economy is a new podcast series on the green recovery from the Partnership for Action on Green Economy. Once a month, experts unpack the complex policy questions that will determine the fate of our economies, our societies, and our planet for decades to come.

“Episode 6: Are We Building Back Better?” of The Green Renaissance Podcast features…

• Steven Stone, Chief, Economics and Trade Branch, UNEP
• Brian O’Callaghan, Lead Researcher and Project Manager, Oxford University Economic Recovery Project
• Jean-Paul Adam, Director for Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management, UNECA
• Katja Funke, Public Financial Management Expert / Visiting Scholar, IMF

These esteemed COVID recovery experts discuss whether or not countries really have been “building back better”, and how we can begin to bridge the gap between commitments and actions.

This work is a joint effort between UNEP and UNITAR. The podcast can be listened to on the Green Renaissance website, or on any major podcast platform. A waveform version with subtitles is also available on YouTube.