Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement

This briefing summarizes the fourth session of a global dialogue hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMU). The discussion focuses on integrating biodiversity, land-use, and nature-based solutions into economic recovery packages following the COVID-19 pandemic to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

• The pandemic highlights the need for a 'One Health' approach that recognizes the link between human and environmental health. The encroachment of humans into natural ecosystems has created a 'connecting highway' for pathogens, with 70% of new emerging diseases, potentially including COVID-19, being zoonotic. To prevent future pandemics, urgent action is needed to protect ecosystem integrity, restore natural ecosystems, and stop illegal wildlife trade.
• Economic recovery should employ systemic and integrated approaches to biodiversity and nature-based solutions. This includes a 'farm-to-fork' approach, similar to the European Green Deal, to address how agriculture and food systems—including livestock—pressure ecosystems. Such integrated approaches are deemed vital for jobs, livelihoods, and food security, particularly in the global South.
• Protecting biodiversity requires sustainable supply chains and private sector engagement, specifically for commodities like cotton, cocoa, and coffee. The document suggests a pact between producer and consumer countries to reduce deforestation via supply chains as a key deliverable for COP26 in November 2021. Additionally, smallholder farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises should be supported in adopting climate-resilient practices.
• Accountability and benchmarks are necessary for recovery packages, which should be screened against a minimum 'do no harm' standard for investments in biofuels, agriculture, and infrastructure. International alignment could be achieved using 2030 goals linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity's post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Ex-post assessments are recommended to ensure governments and the private sector meet their commitments.
• Finance for nature-based solutions must be scaled up by demonstrating economic benefits; for instance, every dollar invested in mangroves can yield $7 in economic benefits. The document suggests involving ministers of finance, trade, and planning to support green finance, particularly in areas of high ecosystem loss. Potential financial mechanisms include innovative models for forest and marine ecosystems and debt-for-nature swaps.

APA

World Resources Institute (2020). Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/uploads/bmu-wri-dialogue-4.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. 2020. https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/uploads/bmu-wri-dialogue-4.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement |date=2 June 2020 |url=https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/uploads/bmu-wri-dialogue-4.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2020global, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Global Dialogue on Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis: Building Back Better Aligned to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/uploads/bmu-wri-dialogue-4.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }