Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The COVID-19 pandemic is first and foremost a humanitarian crisis. Efforts to contain the virus and support those directly impacted are of utmost importance. At IISD, that means our first focus has been on the health and safety of our staff and our own effort to flatten the curve.
As leaders, it is also our responsibility to look ahead and assess how the pandemic and the global recovery from it will impact the future of sustainable development.
Recent COVID-19 Coverage from the SDG Knowledge Hub
Coronavirus and its Impact on the SDGs
Our views are shaped by IISD’s threefold mission to advance a stable climate, sustainable resource development, and fair economies.
- Blog
Three Ways the Coronavirus is Shaping Sustainable Development
This pandemic and the global recovery from it will impact the future of sustainable development. Here are three key themes that are emerging.
Read More - Blog
Green Recovery Know-How From the Nordics
Nordic countries are well recognized for combining healthy economic growth with strong social and environmental policies. What's their secret to a green recovery?
Read More - Policy Brief
COVID-19 and Food Export Restrictions: Comparing today’s situation to the 2007/08 price spikes
This policy brief draws on the International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI’s) COVID-19 Food Trade Policy Tracker to compare how governments have reacted to the current crisis with how they did during the 2007/08 food price spike.
Read More - Policy Brief
Could Food Export Restrictions Worsen a Looming Food Crisis?
This policy brief draws on analysis in the International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI’s) COVID-19 Food Trade Policy Tracker to examine how food-importing countries could be affected by recent measures to restrict exports.
Read More - Blog
World Leaders Must Play Their Part in Rethinking Trade so It Can Help Us “Build Back Better”
While the question of who will lead the WTO is important, political leaders must also renew their commitment to working together if trade is to contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient world.
Read More - Blog
Solving Our Food Crisis Requires a Fundamental Transformation of the System
Global food supply is at an all-time high, yet so is hunger and malnutrition. The right policy changes can account for such complexity and set us on a sustainable path, but we must act now.
Read More - Blog
Sustainability-linked Bonds: A new way to finance COVID-19 stimulus
Sustainability-linked bonds can play a vital role for investors seeking to allocate capital toward COVID-19-related relief or recovery measures.
Read More - Blog
G20 Recovery Packages Benefit Fossil Fuels More Than Clean Energy
Are we building back better? EnergyPolicyTracker.org features weekly updated analysis of COVID-19 policy responses from a climate and energy perspective.
Read More - Commentary
Foreign Investment in Decline: An opportunity for more responsible and sustainable food systems
UNCTAD predicted last month that COVID-19 would cause a 40% drop in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2020. Developing regions will be the worst hit given their heavy reliance on extractive industries and global value chains, which have been impacted by the pandemic. A dramatic drop in FDI could worsen the situation and lead to a race to the bottom as low- and middle-income countries compete for dwindling levels of FDI in agriculture.
Read More - Report
Green Strings: Principles and conditions for a green recovery from COVID-19 in Canada
Endorsed by Canada's leading environmental groups, this paper sets out seven "green strings" recommendations: key principles, criteria and conditionalities to apply to government measures to ensure a green recovery from COVID-19.
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