Reform is not enough to build trust – a call for system change

The author contends that the post-COVID-19 recovery provides a critical opportunity to prioritize public and planetary health over private profit through systemic change. The text calls for the immediate cessation of fossil fuel funding, the delivery of a 'People's Vaccine', and the transformation of international trade and finance rules. It specifically urges that COP 26 and COP 15 move beyond 'greenwashing' and net-zero targets to implement binding laws, protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030, and shift International Financial Institutions away from neoliberal growth models.

• The author asserts that restoring public trust requires a fundamental shift from reform to system change, characterized by new rules and investments rather than adapting the existing economic system.
• Public support for a green economic recovery is reported to be 80% or higher in several countries, including Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa, while 60% of people in Japan desire transformational economic change.
• The document criticizes current government spending, noting that 30 major economies have committed $268 billion to fossil fuels as part of their COVID response, representing 47% of all public money allocated to energy-intensive sectors.
• The author argues that COP 26 and COP 15 must avoid 'greenwashing' and 2050 net-zero targets without benchmarks, instead focusing on ending fossil fuel funding, establishing just transition funds, and protecting 30% of land and oceans by 2030 while respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
• Systemic recovery requires a shift in the international system, including the World Trade Organization ending its paralysis and International Financial Institutions moving away from neoliberalism and GDP-based growth conditionality.

APA

Morgan, J. (2021). Reform is not enough to build trust – a call for system change. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/a-call-for-system-change-jennifer-morgan-greenpeace/

Chicago

Morgan, Jennifer. Reform is not enough to build trust – a call for system change. World Economic Forum, 2021. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/a-call-for-system-change-jennifer-morgan-greenpeace/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Morgan |first1=Jennifer |title=Reform is not enough to build trust – a call for system change |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=25 January 2021 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/a-call-for-system-change-jennifer-morgan-greenpeace/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{morgan2021reform, author = {Morgan, Jennifer}, title = {{Reform is not enough to build trust – a call for system change}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, month = jan, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/a-call-for-system-change-jennifer-morgan-greenpeace/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }