OECD’s 2025 Report on Public Sector Readiness and the Green Transition
The OECD’s Government at a Glance 2025 is a comprehensive examination of the evolving role of public institutions in addressing global challenges, particularly the green transition. The publication offers an extensive data-driven analysis of governance performance across OECD countries and underscores the urgent need for governments to rethink and retool their approaches in light of pressing demographic, digital, economic, and environmental changes. Special recognition is due to Elsa Pilichowski, Monica Brezzi, Santiago González, and the dozens of contributors who shaped this report, which not only reflects rigorous research but also a strong commitment to supporting public sector transformation through evidence-based insights.
At the heart of the 2025 edition lies an important message: for governments to rebuild trust, secure citizen dignity, and drive prosperity, they must act decisively and cohesively to deliver results. The OECD frames this need through three strategic pillars—commitment, capabilities, and consensus—that collectively define what it means to govern effectively in the face of climate change. Each of these pillars is unpacked through hundreds of data points, comparative metrics, and case studies spanning regulatory alignment, public service accessibility, budgeting practices, digital innovation, and climate accountability mechanisms.
A central insight of the report is that many governments have begun the journey toward greener governance, but implementation gaps persist. While 23 OECD countries have embedded net zero targets into law, and nearly all have adopted green procurement frameworks, only 11 have developed measurement tools to evaluate the environmental impact of their policies. Furthermore, independent oversight through climate advisory bodies is still lacking in half of OECD countries, highlighting the gap between policy ambition and long-term credibility. The report raises concern over the mismatch between what citizens expect and what they believe their governments can deliver: only 42% of respondents across OECD nations are confident their country will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade.
The report also emphasizes the importance of governance in addressing inequality and restoring economic security. It details how 59% of citizens in OECD countries name inflation as a top concern, while 33% cite poverty and inequality. Though many countries are revamping public services through human-centered design and life-event-based delivery, significant barriers remain. Only a minority of governments have integrated such design into services across a full lifecycle event, such as childbirth or retirement. And despite improvements in stakeholder engagement for lawmaking, actual implementation of conflict-of-interest safeguards remains patchy, with a troubling gap between regulatory intent and operational practice.
From a fiscal standpoint, governments are navigating high deficits—averaging 4.6% of GDP in 2023—yet many are proactively conducting spending reviews and adopting digital tools to optimize services. However, the OECD notes that digital government strategies are often siloed, with only 47% of high-value datasets made publicly available. The report calls on governments to improve the interoperability and strategic use of data to increase efficiency and transparency.
The governance of climate mitigation remains the most urgent and unifying theme. Governments are advised to not only invest in green technologies and infrastructure but to embed climate foresight into planning and budgeting systems. The OECD’s new “Governing for the Green Transition” framework categorizes necessary practices by maturity, identifying where standards and data are strong (e.g., net-zero targets), where practices are developing (e.g., infrastructure governance), and where work remains in its infancy (e.g., greening public administration and strategic foresight).
In sum, Government at a Glance 2025 is more than a benchmarking tool; it is a strategic roadmap for modern governance. It brings to light the critical intersection between trust, capability, and climate resilience, and it challenges public leaders to turn good intentions into measurable action. The publication is reading for policymakers, academics, and practitioners committed to navigating the complex terrain of 21st-century public administration.
Disclaimer: This blog post is a summary interpretation of Government at a Glance 2025, an OECD publication. While care has been taken to reflect the report’s findings accurately, this post does not constitute official OECD guidance or legal advice. Readers are encouraged to consult the original report for detailed information and country-specific data.
