Can Clean Growth Provide Prosperity Whilst Being Sustainable?
On 22nd November 2021, CamDEAG’s Clara Todd joined a debate on clean (or green) growth. With three excellent speakers on either side – proposing and opposing the motion (Clara spoke against) – it was an excellent and envigorating evening.
This event was held at the Cambridge Union, and hosted by Cambridge Cleantech and Michael Page.
With COP26 on everyone’s minds, citizens around the world are hoping that the new momentum and political commitment will help improve the current trajectory of global emissions. At this crucial juncture, we would like to pause and re-think about what financial system(s) would work best for a net zero future.
The UK government’s Clean Growth Strategy, an ambitious blueprint for Britain’s low carbon future which was announced in 2017, proposes that the whole country can benefit from low carbon opportunities while meeting national and international commitments to tackle climate change.
But is it really possible to grow our national income while cutting greenhouse gas emissions? As it becomes more and more obvious that the current growth model is unsustainable, what sort of financial system should our net-zero future follow?
We are pleased to say that the audience agreed with Clara and those speaking opposing the motion, that Clean growth is not desirable or viable, with a respectable 34 to 38 majority.
Clara just wants websites, software, cities, farming, economy, politics, and world finance systems to work better for people and planet, OK? Web developer and UX architect. Mum of two boys. Opinions about most things and an ambition to be a good ancestor.
