Enabling a Green and Resilient Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic took millions of lives, ravaged families and devastated livelihoods and economies across the world. Among other challenges, it led the development community to grapple with the dilemma of how to facilitate a recovery from the pandemic without backsliding on hard-won gains made on low-carbon and climate-resilient development. 

The Green Recovery Initiative (GRI) was launched in December 2020 to assist developing countries in undertaking a climate-informed pandemic recovery that allowed them to address immediate needs whilst maintaining the momentum on achieving their commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement. 

Country Support

GRI has two strategic approaches and channels to support countries:

  1. Analytical Tools & Methodologies (Global Focus): Grants support analytical activities with a global scope, including developing tools and methodologies, which are piloted in select countries.
  2. Project Design & Implementation Support (Country and Regional Focus): Grants support countries in designing and implementing climate-related policies and investments
Infographic of the GRI Methodology Guide

Infographic: Green Recovery Initiative (GRI) Methodology Guide

Impacts and Results

Since its inception as a pioneer program under the Climate Support Facility, the GRI has:

  • Enabled over 45 countries in rebuilding better and achieving a green recovery from the economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and mainstreaming climate considerations in their development efforts.
  • Provided over 100 grants totaling more than $25 million.
GRI impact in Countries
  • assisted countries in the design and implementation of climate-informed economic recovery plans and strategies.
  • provided timely support to governments on strengthening policies, regulatory frameworks, information systems, and institutions relevant to climate change.
  • helped countries to undertake climate-related investments across key sectors 
    such as agriculture, energy, environment, health, transport, and urban development.
GRI impact on World Bank lending operations*
  • Directly influenced the design of 40 World Bank direct lending operations across nine sectors with a total financing value of $6.7 billion.
  • Supported 10 development policy financing operations providing direct budget support amounting to $6.1 billion that are advancing climate change related policies and regulatory frameworks across 8 countries.

*Data as of July 1, 2024

Back to Programs