SCPnet Conference 2009
Day One
Opening Address: Bryan Gray, NWDA Chairman
Opening the conference, Bryan asked, “Can we contemplate zero growth?” He raised the prospect of economic contraction to achieve necessary cuts in emissions. He went on to stress the importance of quality of life and well-being over material opulence, ending with a quote from the renowned social thinker and poet John Ruskin: “There is no wealth, but life”.
Speaker Presentations
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Prosperity without Growth - Tim Jackson
Tim spoke in depth about the Prosperity Without Growth Report released a few days before the conference. In his report, he argues that the current global recession should be the occasion to forge a new economic system without a reliance on economic growth, one with bounded ‘capabilities for flourishing’ rather than unbounded status-driven consumerism. The report proposes a 12-step plan to make the transition to a fair, sustainable, low-carbon economy.
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SCP and US Policy - Jock Whittlesey
(Jock Whittlesey, Environment Counselor at the US Embassy, gave a pre-recorded video presentation, a script of which is provided.)
Jock spoke on the Obama administration’s commitment to the principles of SCP and their multi-pronged evidence-based programme for a lower carbon economy. The US will, he said, work in partnership with the UK and take a lead role in working towards a strong climate change agreement at Copenhagen in December 2009.
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Last Chance Saloon - Paul Ekins
Paul spoke of being ‘in the last chance saloon’ to achieve absolute decoupling of GDP from carbon emissions. He argued in favour of using carbon prices over the next half century in order to choke off investment in high-carbon technologies, incentivise low-carbon investments and drive changes in consumption and lifestyle: “It’s the carbon price, stupid!”
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Pathways to SCP in Europe - Lars Mortensen
Lars argued that the global economic crisis provides a window of opportunity to make long-lasting changes in behaviour for consumers and business. The European Environment Agency can provide decision makers with the evidence needed for sound and effective policies. By using a consumption perspective, the full global life-cycle environmental pressures can be understood.
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Policy Instruments for SCP - Arnold Tukker
Arnold highlighted current trends, potential improvements and supportive approaches for all stages of product lifecycles from design, production, sales and consumption. These recommendations are important for the viability of SCP.
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Workshops
These themes, and their relevance to regional development work, were discussed in afternoon workshops, covering Alternative Economic Growth and Green Jobs; SCP and Economic Recovery – Threats and Opportunities of the Recession; and Economic Opportunities of Changing Consumption Patterns in Food, Mobility & Home Energy Consumption.
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