The survey reveals significant concerns among global companies regarding their preparedness for the transformations required by climate change and energy transitions. African companies are particularly worried about increasing energy prices, while European companies share a heightened concern about the impacts of climate change. The urgency of climate action for companies and governments is illustrated by projections from the International Labour Organization, which states that under a 1.5°C warming scenario, heat stress could result in the loss of working hours equivalent to 80 million full-time jobs globally by 2030.29 Furthermore, insufficient foresight on and responses to climate change hinder robust 3.3 Accelerating green growth and scaling up sustainable investments3.2 Cultivating macroeconomic stability The survey reveals that companies in Africa and Latin America have the greatest concern about macroeconomic stability. Governments and central banks, with the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have a responsibility to maintain macroeconomic stability. This can be achieved through robust policy-making and strategic investments (which can help to cultivate a favourable environment for the private sector to flourish in). The private sector also has an important role to play in supporting macroeconomic stability by collaborating with government, engaging in open dialogue, helping to shape effective policy and committing to long-term investment. Industrial policy, which promotes specific sectors, can be an important tool for enhancing long-term resilience and sustainable growth. Nigeria has adopted a resilience-building strategy that focuses on strengthening vital sectors including agriculture, manufacturing and electricity.24 This aims to stabilize prices, enhance food security and reduce import dependency, which can support economic growth during times of uncertainty. Additionally, scaling innovative resources from MDBs is important for improving economic stability in emerging economies. These resources should be concessional, long-term and inclusive to ensure that countries have access to affordable finance for key resilience projects. Strengthening the MDBs in line with the G20 Roadmap will increase their lending capacity and make them more agile and effective, increasing their capacity to bridge financing gaps towards climate and development goals.25 Debt swaps are an innovative financing mechanism that allow countries to redirect financial resources towards long-term resilience-building initiatives. By restructuring existing debt obligations with more favourable terms, governments can free up fiscal space to invest in key development projects. In 2024, the Inter-American Development Bank and European Investment Bank approved $300 million in guarantees for a debt-for-climate operation in Barbados, enabling the country to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.26 The Paris Club has recognized the importance of debt restructuring in enhancing fiscal sustainability and the Group of 20 (G20) has highlighted innovative financing solutions as important tools for mobilizing resources for tackling climate change.27,28 Financial instruments like debt swaps not only strengthen a country’s fiscal health but also enhance its investment climate, helping to attract additional private investment for long-term resilience projects. Resilience Pulse Check: Harnessing Collaboration to Navigate a Volatile World 20

Resilience Pulse Check 2025