Rediscover our top 5 blogs of 2021

1. The price of plastic waste and solutions to turn the tide

By Stefanos Fotiou, ESCAP, and Anthony Cox, OECD Environment Directorate

This blog examines solutions to deal with the eight million tonnes of plastic that will end up in the world’s oceans every year, most of which is fed from rivers, which serve as direct conduits of trash from the some of the world’s fastest growing cities into the marine environment.

Read it here.

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2. The green recovery: an opportunity to address inequalities?

By Enrico Botta, OECD Environment Directorate

The pandemic is a stark reminder that disadvantaged households are the most affected by environmental degradation. Unstainable production and consumption patterns are contributing to climate change, air pollution. Each of these impacts are stronger for disadvantaged households. The author presents the OECD Green Recovery Database, which compiles national efforts for a green, inclusive and resilient recovery through a number of initiatives to design fairer and greener societies.

Read it here.

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3. Changing climate, changing coasts: Why resilience matters

By Marta Arbinolo and Catherine Gamper, OECD Environment Directorate

This blog post examines how socio-economic development takes a significant toll on fragile coastal ecosystems, and how climate change will exacerbate the pressures on coastal areas. The authors offer solutions to strengthen coastal resilience with a view to protecting coastal communities and sustaining their livelihoods.

Read it here.

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4. Climate change mitigation and adaptation: managing two sides of the same coin

By Catherine Gamper and Mikaela Rambali, OECD Environment Directorate

Until now, efforts to mitigate and to adapt to climate change have been led by distinct policy communities, building on specific knowledge and information, and mobilising different stakeholders to address distinct technological and distributional challenges. The authors examine the links between mitigation and adaptation and how their impact and effectiveness can be reinforced when addressed jointly.

Read it here.

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5. Are lower pollution levels really the silver lining of the Covid-19 pandemic?

By Rob Dellink, OECD Environment Directorate

This blog post examines whether lower pollution levels really are the silver lining of the Covid pandemic. Through data and projections, the author establishes that the effects of Covid-19 on global environmental pressures largely fade over time.

Read it here.