Date/Time
Date(s) - Thu 21 May
12:00 - 13:00
The flaws in our systems of net-zero emissions targets for states and non-state entities are well known.
The basic problem is this: To have a reasonable chance of achieving climate stability, the world as a whole will have to reach net-zero emissions (at least), but net-zero targets as implemented cannot deliver that result.
Built as they are to account for individual entities’ emissions balances, net-zero targets are blind to critical actions that affect the speed and success of collective transition to a low-emissions economy (actions such as lobbying for policies that extend the duration of the fossil-fuel energy regime). We find ourselves in what feels like a tragic situation: The only available policies cannot achieve what we know we need to do.
We know that we need holistic coordination of climate action to remain within an emissions budget consistent with a reasonable chance of climate stability, but we can only ever achieve partial coordination. Under circumstances like these, our best option is to orient ourselves toward the ideal of climate stability while working to improve the imperfect available policies.
For net-zero targets, this means gradually adjusting them so that they reflect not only individual-entity emissions-removals balancing, but also alignment of their behaviour with the possibility of collective success at achieving climate stability.
Professor Lisa Ellis
Lisa Ellis is Professor of Philosophy at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago. Her current project, “the politics of planetary boundaries,” investigates how we can make environmental policy decisions that serve our interests in flourishing now and in the future. Topics of Lisa’s recent publications include the political philosophy of Immanuel Kant, aviation exceptionalism, climate justice, and environmental democracy, among other topics. She divides her spare time between looking for birds around Te Waipounamu and working with others for transformative environmental change.
Streaming information
Zoom link: https://otago.zoom.us/j/95538669925
Meeting ID: 955 3866 9925
Password: 011699