The G20, climate change and COVID-19: critical juncture or critical wound?

Purpose The Group of 20 (G20) is tasked with responding to economic shocks in the global financial system, COVID-19 having proved be most significant shock since G20's inception. also represents first crisis accompanied by a concerted attempt “build back better”, principally through climate-compatible recovery. In 2021, there little clarity as response this challenge, primarily due considerable divergence green stimulus practices its member states. paper aims investigate whether G20, climate change and are critical juncture or wound. Design/methodology/approach Historical institutionalism (HI) suggests that one can explain an institution's future reference developmental pathway date. This contribution adopts concept “critical junctures” shed light on possible institutional COVID-19. undertakes comparative analysis (GFC) junctures for G20. Findings doing so, work demonstrates G20 “building better” from requires shift away orthodoxy much larger degree than GFC. Accordingly, whilst both GFC may considered only has potential wound” leads redundancy. Research limitations/implications Through interrogating further, exposition prospectively outlines two futures faces consequence COVID-19: reform way, it offers ex ante perspective policy-reform options ongoing Practical implications Whichever choice makes profound consequences governance increasingly unpredictable world. Originality/value Herein lies importance exploratory assessment wound