Governments should not let Covid-19 fallout hurt fight against climate change

THE world's decarbonisation agenda to protect the planet could be facing one of its toughest challenges, as the wreckage from the Covid-19 pandemic keeps governments caught up tackling the more immediate health and economic crisis.

The unprecedented stimulus rolled out by policymakers to combat the outbreak and cushion the pain on businesses, jobs and the economy will more than likely result in a large debt overhang. This may - unwittingly or otherwise - push investments in expanding low-carbon and clean-energy technologies to the back burner, as countries repair their balance sheet amid great economic uncertainty.

As jobs including fossil fuel work - already suffering due to the pandemic-led recession and record low oil prices - are vulnerable to digitalisation and automation arising from green technologies, this could make a case for some countries to shift gears on clean-energy transition.