Shaping an Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Recovery: Acting Now for a Better Future

The document argues that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the unsustainability of the current global economic model, characterized by extreme inequality and environmental degradation. It proposes a 'build back better' framework focusing on four pillars: a common vision based on the SDGs and Paris Agreement, a broad-based recovery that addresses vaccine inequity and human capital loss, the creation of a more resilient society through a new social contract, and a transition to a net-zero economy. The authors emphasize that the next decade is decisive, requiring a significant increase in global investment—approximately 2% of GDP per year—directed toward green technologies, nature restoration, and sustainable infrastructure. Key recommendations include implementing carbon pricing, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, and reforming the financial system to align portfolios with net-zero targets. The paper concludes that success depends on deep collaboration between governments, the private sector, financial institutions, and civil society.

• The global economic model has become unsustainable, leading to climate change, biodiversity loss, and extreme inequalities. The document notes that the population share dissatisfied with democracy rose to 58% in 2020, a phenomenon termed the "Global Democratic Recession".
• Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is highly unequal due to asymmetrical vaccine access. In low-income countries, just under 2% of the population had received one dose of a vaccine as of September 2021, creating a "dichotomous recovery".
• The pandemic caused severe losses in human capital, particularly in education. The World Bank estimates that children affected by learning losses could lose $10 trillion in future lifetime earnings, which is equivalent to 8% of global GDP.
• To achieve a sustainable recovery, global investment must increase by approximately 2% of GDP per year over the next decade. This includes a push for public investment of 1–2% of GDP to create high-return assets in sustainable infrastructure.
• The document identifies seven key investment areas for green recovery: electricity generation/storage/networks ($1.5-1.6 tn p.a.), transport ($0.1 tn p.a.), energy efficiency ($0.6-0.8 tn p.a.), adaptation and resilience (>$0.1-0.3 tn p.a.), sustainable agriculture ($0.15 tn p.a.), nature protection/restoration ($0.1-0.25 tn p.a.), and innovation in hydrogen/CCUS ($0.06-0.07 tn p.a.).

APA

World Economic Forum (2021). Shaping an Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Recovery: Acting Now for a Better Future. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Shaping_an_Equitable_Inclusive_and_Resilient_Recovery_2021.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Shaping an Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Recovery: Acting Now for a Better Future. 2021. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Shaping_an_Equitable_Inclusive_and_Resilient_Recovery_2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Shaping an Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Recovery: Acting Now for a Better Future |date=September 2021 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Shaping_an_Equitable_Inclusive_and_Resilient_Recovery_2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2021shaping, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Shaping an Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Recovery: Acting Now for a Better Future}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, month = sep, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Shaping_an_Equitable_Inclusive_and_Resilient_Recovery_2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }