Jonathan Pickering, University of Canberra

Jonathan Pickering (University of Canberra) explored Supporting A Just Transition: National Responsibilities for the Cross-Border Impacts of Climate Change Policies. One contentious issue in climate negotiation is the impacts of the implementation of response measures. Recently, this issue has broadened to cover the just transition of the work force away from fossil fuel industries that have transnational impacts (i.e. where a country’s actions have impacts beyond its borders). There are arguments both for and against countries providing assistance to other countries for the transnational impacts they have caused. There are arguments against providing assistance, including that 1) in the global economy there is no general obligation to compensate for economic impacts; 2) the losses are too hard to quantify; and 3) affected countries have means to cope. However, there are countervailing reasons, such including 1) the extension of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities; 2) that some losses are quantifiable; and 3) not all affected countries are able to cope.

If there is a rational for providing assistance in some cases, the principles to do so should develop from common but differentiated responsibilities. This would meant that the countries that are least responsible and least capable in coping should receive assistance, while countries with greater responsibilities and greater capabilities should provide assistance. Assistance should be delivered by estimating the net adverse effects on the least responsible/capable countries, building effort-sharing arrangements among the most responsible/capable, and delivering assistance through existing/new social protection mechanism. In summary, response measures should not derail other efforts to tackle climate change. However, it is critical that climate policies do not push vulnerable communities further into poverty. A collaborative effort is required.

This talk was held at:

Imagining a Different Future

Climate Justice Conference

The University of Tasmania with the support of the University of Utrecht Ethics Institute hosted a multidisciplinary conference examining the barriers to responding to climate change, implementing climate justice, and proposing ways forward. Among the keynote speakers were Law Faculty Professors Jan McDonald and Ben Richardson. The Law Faculty's Dr Peter Lawrence co-convened the conference with Jan Linehan. The conference took place in Hobart from 8-9 Feb 2018.

Despite the Paris Agreement, there are real concerns the prevailing neoliberal economic and political model, particularly with the move to more insular, nationalistic, fragile politics, cannot respond effectively to climate change and excludes key considerations such as ethics and justice. Videos and Podcasts from the conference are available on the Knowledge Hub.

Dan Cass, The Australia Institute

Dan Cass put forward a strategy for renewable energy that balances capitalising on the economy of renewable energy systems, while maintaining a deeper critique of neoliberal policy that has historically blocked climate action. Such a strategy can be beneficial for both working towards alternatives to neoliberalism, while taking advantage of momentum to build competition and lower prices in the renewable energy sector. 

This talk was held at:

Imagining a Different Future

Climate Justice Conference

The University of Tasmania with the support of the University of Utrecht Ethics Institute hosted a multidisciplinary conference examining the barriers to responding to climate change, implementing climate justice, and proposing ways forward. Among the keynote speakers were Law Faculty Professors Jan McDonald and Ben Richardson. The Law Faculty's Dr Peter Lawrence co-convened the conference with Jan Linehan. The conference took place in Hobart from 8-9 Feb 2018.

Despite the Paris Agreement, there are real concerns the prevailing neoliberal economic and political model, particularly with the move to more insular, nationalistic, fragile politics, cannot respond effectively to climate change and excludes key considerations such as ethics and justice. Videos and Podcasts from the conference are available on the Knowledge Hub.

Jeff McGee, University of Tasmania/IMAS

Jeff McGee spoke about the “bad timing” for addressing climate change as countries embrace a political economy based on neo-liberal assumptions. The work of theorist Karl Polanyi, on the relation between markets, societies and states, can help to inform us about neo-liberalism and how to ‘re-embed’ markets in society to advance the common good and address climate change.

This talk was held at:

Imagining a Different Future

Climate Justice Conference

The University of Tasmania with the support of the University of Utrecht Ethics Institute hosted a multidisciplinary conference examining the barriers to responding to climate change, implementing climate justice, and proposing ways forward. Among the keynote speakers were Law Faculty Professors Jan McDonald and Ben Richardson. The Law Faculty's Dr Peter Lawrence co-convened the conference with Jan Linehan. The conference took place in Hobart from 8-9 Feb 2018.

Despite the Paris Agreement, there are real concerns the prevailing neoliberal economic and political model, particularly with the move to more insular, nationalistic, fragile politics, cannot respond effectively to climate change and excludes key considerations such as ethics and justice. Videos and Podcasts from the conference are available on the Knowledge Hub.

Rosemary Lyster, University of Sydney

Rosemary Lyster discussed the concept of markets for ecosystem services, and their efficacy in protecting ecosystems. They reflect some key tenets of neoliberalism including privatisation and commodification, and evidence has shown that a focus on these approaches do not protect nonhuman capabilities and are unlikely to promote climate justice, raising a question of “how will the law respond?”

This talk was held at:

Imagining a Different Future

Climate Justice Conference

The University of Tasmania with the support of the University of Utrecht Ethics Institute hosted a multidisciplinary conference examining the barriers to responding to climate change, implementing climate justice, and proposing ways forward. Among the keynote speakers were Law Faculty Professors Jan McDonald and Ben Richardson. The Law Faculty's Dr Peter Lawrence co-convened the conference with Jan Linehan. The conference took place in Hobart from 8-9 Feb 2018.

Despite the Paris Agreement, there are real concerns the prevailing neoliberal economic and political model, particularly with the move to more insular, nationalistic, fragile politics, cannot respond effectively to climate change and excludes key considerations such as ethics and justice. Videos and Podcasts from the conference are available on the Knowledge Hub.

Karey Harrison, University of Southern Queensland

Karey Harrison discussed the neoliberal reliance on continuous growth, and the use of economic modelling and market mechanisms when devising climate policy. Climate change will negatively impact GDP and economic growth, yet climate policies often rely on the model of continuous economic growth. Climate change, rising inequality, and unsound neoliberal policies reflect a crisis of capitalism.

This talk was held at:

Imagining a Different Future

Climate Justice Conference

The University of Tasmania with the support of the University of Utrecht Ethics Institute hosted a multidisciplinary conference examining the barriers to responding to climate change, implementing climate justice, and proposing ways forward. Among the keynote speakers were Law Faculty Professors Jan McDonald and Ben Richardson. The Law Faculty's Dr Peter Lawrence co-convened the conference with Jan Linehan. The conference took place in Hobart from 8-9 Feb 2018.

Despite the Paris Agreement, there are real concerns the prevailing neoliberal economic and political model, particularly with the move to more insular, nationalistic, fragile politics, cannot respond effectively to climate change and excludes key considerations such as ethics and justice. Videos and Podcasts from the conference are available on the Knowledge Hub.