Small Island Developing States Drive a Green Post-COVID-19 Recovery Agenda

Abstract

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the existential threat of climate change for small island developing states (SIDS) remains. This has made SIDS step up in climate meetings to promote a green post-COVID-19 recovery agenda to ensure climate action remains at the forefront of international policymaking.

International collective action has often been challenged by larger players’ independent policy preferences despite what has been prescribed in climate conventions. However, SIDS have for decades collectively influenced international decisions, notably through the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), by highlighting their unique vulnerabilities and the need for international collective action to curb climate change. As the pandemic has progressed, AOSIS members have continued their international advocacy to focus on climate action along with governments’ COVID-19 recovery planning. Show more