Summarised by Centrist
At the recent Environmental Defence Society conference in Christchurch, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton challenged environmentalists to consider the broader economic implications of their advocacy.
Upton highlighted several “inconvenient truths,” which include listening to people you may disagree with.
Other “truths” include recognising that closing or shunning polluting industries often leads to importing goods from countries with lower environmental standards. Also, according to Upton, sometimes environmentally damaging activities, like mining or infrastructure provision need to be considered and the trade-offs critically weighed.
Additionally, green growth is not a straightforward solution because it often shifts one environmental issue to another, such as damaging ecosystems with renewable energy projects.
Upton said that any transition, even to a green economy, will be costly, and environmentalists must account for the social, economic, and environmental costs. Finally, the concept of degrowth is challenging to sell, as society continues to prioritise consumption.
Oher speakers, including Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and indigenous leader Mananui Ramsden, addressed the need for inclusive decision-making and recognising historical injustices.
