Partnering for a Green Economic Recovery 

The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) assists countries and regions in placing sustainability at the heart of economic policies and development planning.

Supported by the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany, the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) has been assisting countries and regions in placing sustainability at the heart of economic policies and development planning since its founding at the Rio+20 in 2012. A partnership of five UN agencies, eight funding partners and twenty countries, PAGE has delivered strong results through its vast tools and services, focused on up-stream policy support. Creating an enabling macroeconomic environment for Climate Action, Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and the implementation of several SDGs is a key element of the PAGE approach.

Quick response to the COVID-19 crisis

Building on this experience, PAGE quickly responded to the COVID-19 crisis, focusing its collective expertise on building a comprehensive support mechanism for a green and inclusive economic recovery in its partner countries and beyond. By advancing a pro-climate, nature and sustainability agenda, countries can boost growth and create green and decent jobs - promoting resilient economies on a resilient planet.

Following a strong call to action by the PAGE Management Board in April 2020, PAGE soon launched its COVID-19 Response Hub and Data Observatory, tracking fiscal and finance measures announced by partner countries along with social, economic and environmental impacts of COVID-19, to inform policymaking and make the case for a green and inclusive recovery. PAGE has also contributed to the UNSDG Guidance Note to country teams on Economic Transformation and UN Secretary General’s Policy Brief on employment: The World of Work and COVID-19.

Responding to an early needs assessment in PAGE countries, in the summer of 2020 PAGE developed a Green Recovery Support Programme in close partnership with Germany. Through this programme, BMU is contributing 7 Million USD to fund green recovery support available to all PAGE Partner Countries. This PAGE programme is the only support mechanism available so far to UN Resident Coordinators in PAGE countries for greening economic stimulus packages.

To date 14 country proposals have been approved. Implementation began in January 2021 and is expected to catalyse economy-wide greening of recovery policy and practice.

The targeted mechanism for green economic recovery will drive the implementation of the PAGE Strategy 2021-2030, launched at the High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development in July 2020. With the new Strategy, PAGE has set a strong and clear course of action to scale up its contribution to the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement in 30 countries over the next 10 years. 

The new 10-year plan is built on the extensive experience of PAGE on delivering demand-driven 5-year support in a steadily increasing number of countries since 2013, promoting national ownership and long-term impact. While a few country highlights are provided here, the full PAGE story can be accessed in the Partnership’s Annual Report and on its webpage. 

Country Highlights – Mongolia and Indonesia

Mongolia was the first country to join PAGE in 2013, showing high commitment and ambition from the start with the conception of the National Green Development Policy (NGDP). Focused on environmental sustainability and socially inclusive development, the NGDP sets clear goals to guide the country’s green economy transition. PAGE support has since resulted in several achievements with long-term impact potential, including 

• the integration of Inclusive Green Economy goals and targets into national economic and development planning; 
• sectoral and thematic reforms in green buildings and construction, green finance, waste management and sustainable procurement; 
• and strengthening the institutional capacity of government institutions, the media, universities, research institutes and businesses. 

In turn, this has contributed towards achievement of several SDGs, including SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 8 (decent work and economic growth). PAGE is now building on this foundation to support a green economic recovery from COVID-19 in Mongolia. 

Indonesia joined PAGE in 2018, to deliver on its ambition to transform the national economy into a driver of sustainability and social inclusion while addressing environmental challenges. Phase 1 of the Government’s Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI) has already successfully introduced system and spatial dynamics planning tools to assess development scenarios. PAGE support is linked to the implementation of LCDI Phase 2, with a focus on the energy, waste, industry, forestry, peat, agriculture, and blue carbon sectors. PAGE work in Indonesia is aligned to several SDGs, including SDG 13 (climate action) and 17 (partnerships for the goals) – with the portfolio growing to support a green and inclusive economic recovery from COVID-19. 

Strong cooperation for developing a green economy 

As an inter-agency partnership, PAGE is built on the principles of strong cooperation. Next to its partner agencies, funding partners and partner countries, PAGE works closely with many other actors and institutions in the green economy community. PAGE also joined forces with the NDC Partnership in support of a green and climate resilient recovery in partner countries. 

In order to achieve the SDGs by 2030, urgent action is needed. Through recovery packages and policies that integrate green economy principles such as action for climate and biodiversity, green jobs and sustainable production and consumption, there is a unique chance to change course and to build forward, greener and better. Thanks to the Green Recovery Support Programme, PAGE countries will be further equipped and able to inspire others to grasp the opportunity for a green and inclusive economic recovery that delivers on the SDGs and leaves no one behind.