Green Transition

Green and Just Transition for Whom - Green Initiative

Green and Just Transition for Whom?

The concept of a “Green and Just Transition” developed by the UN aims at a holistic approach to address climate change and environmental degradation while ensuring social justice and equity. The concept integrates considerations of environmental and socioeconomic sustainability, emphasizing that the transition to a low-carbon economy should not come at the expense of vulnerable groups and should “leave no one behind.” The concept includes aspects such as environmental sustainability, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energies, conserving biodiversity, and protecting ecosystems. Another aspect is social justice, which aims to ensure that the benefits and burdens of the transition are distributed fairly. A third aspect deals with economic resilience, emphasizing the building of an economy that can withstand environmental and economic shocks and investing in green technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and skill development to support new jobs and green industries. All of this sounds good, but, after all, what does “leaving no one behind” mean? While attractive and useful to help garner broad support for the green agenda, the concept can generate controversies. This is because each country has its own interests and is exposed to each of the above aspects to varying degrees. Consider the case of the United States. There, the concept is often evoked to address jobs at risk in fossil fuel and/or carbon-intensive sectors affected by regulatory changes for decarbonization. These changes could help explain the backlash from communities against those measures and even the political use of the theme by conservative sectors. In the case of poorer countries exposed to climate change, the concept tends to focus on the immense urgent needs for investments in adaptation and aid to the most vulnerable communities facing extreme natural disasters, especially those affecting food security and leading to conflicts and forced migrations—think of what many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are already experiencing. However, there would still be at least one more group of countries for which the green and just transition would have a specific connotation. Think of the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) that, although also in need of investments in adaptation, can afford to face climate challenges through business opportunities. Consider the cases of Brazil, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Uruguay, among others, which already have predominantly renewable electric matrices and competitive operational conditions. These characteristics qualify the region to participate in global value chains through powershoring, the corporate strategy of locating manufacturing plants and/or energy-intensive production chains in zones that offer green, secure, cheap, and abundant energy. Coincidentally or not, renewable energy is concentrated in the most depressed regions of those countries. By encouraging new businesses, powershoring could have significant socioeconomic and environmental impacts while helping companies achieve resilience, compliance, and the operational conditions they need. By way of illustration, consider the case of Brazil, specifically the Northeast region. The region already enjoys a high supply of renewable energy and has a capacity factor well above the world average. In some places, there is even non-intermittent green energy generation with the combination of plenty of sunlight during the day and favorable winds at night. The region has an extensive transmission network and over 100GW of already granted green energy. The Northeast also has excellent ports and industrial zones connected to them. Additionally, the region enjoys strong support from local political leaders in favor of converting those comparative advantages into tools for combating poverty. No wonder, poverty in the region affects 47.4% of the population and accounts for almost half of all poverty in the country. Consider also the case of Rio Grande do Sul, a state recently devastated by unprecedented floods. With exceptional conditions for wind energy production and availability of ports and industrial zones, powershoring could be an important ally in the state’s economic and social recovery. The microeconomic logic of powershoring could be extended to critical minerals for the energy transition. Many of the world’s main provinces of these minerals are in high-poverty areas in Brazil, such as the Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais and parts of the states of Amazonas and Pará, to name a few. Industrializing these minerals could have unprecedented socioeconomic repercussions, and similar scenarios can be observed in other countries in the region. Powershoring would therefore be a means, not an end in itself, and a fundamental channel for promoting a green and just transition. Uncoordinated policies to promote a green and just transition can be problematic. Indeed, claims and public policies from countries with different contexts, economic power, and political influence could lead to complex and even contradictory situations. For example, consider the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States or the EU New Green Deal and other measures by the European Union, which aim to generate green jobs with heavy subsidies, protectionism, and discrimination, but with side effects in terms of trade and investment diversion from powershoring countries and a reduction in resources from global adaptation funds for poor countries. Similarly, there are contracts that lead powershoring countries to direct their valuable green energy to produce and export green hydrogen to rich countries and/or to direct it to data centers, instead of prioritizing it as a tool to attract value chains that can indeed generate prosperity with equity. It is a matter of collective action, policy failures, and market failures with substantial distributive, social, and political consequences. Defining a green and just transition agenda that leaves no one behind will be one of the great challenges that global leaders will have to face in the coming years if they want to promote a genuinely broad, peaceful, and sustainable transition. Written by our friend and colleague Jorge Arbache. Jorge is a professor of economics at the University of Brasília and has held positions in government, banks, companies, and boards. This article was originally published in Valor Econômico on 07/11/2024

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Overcome Climate Change Anxiety With This Guide to Living a Greener Lifestyle - Green Initiative

Overcome Climate Change Anxiety With This Guide to Living a Greener Lifestyle

Climate change presents an immense challenge to humanity, creating feelings of anxiety and helplessness among many. However, succumbing to these feelings does not foster change or solutions. Gaining a deep understanding of climate science and its impacts empowers you to take meaningful steps towards mitigating these effects. By playing an active role in addressing climate change, you not only contribute to the global effort but also reduce your own climate-related anxiety. In this article, we’ll go over several ways you can take action in an effort to reduce your anxiety and live a greener lifestyle. Find Healthy Ways To Cope Living with anxiety can be debilitating for some, making even the simplest activities stressful and more time-consuming. The good news is, there are several things you can do to cope with those feelings and refocus your mindset. Practicing mindfulness through yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, or just a walk outdoors can help you feel calm when your anxiety is working in overdrive. You can also take up a relaxing hobby, such as watercolor painting or journaling. These activities will help you manage your anxiety in a way that works for your mental wellness. Transform Information into Action The journey begins with knowledge. Dive into credible research and documentaries that shed light on the severity of climate change and its impacts. This education empowers you to discern fact from fiction, guiding your actions and conversations. Knowledge equips you with the tools to make informed decisions and advocate for change, bridging the gap between awareness and action. Innovate with Green Entrepreneurship Imagine turning your passion for the environment into a career that also contributes to the planet’s health. Launching a green business, such as an organic nursery, a farmers market stall, or a bicycle shop, not only aligns your livelihood with your values but also serves the community. This entrepreneurial spirit supports local economies and offers sustainable alternatives to conventional products and services. Clean Green Household cleaning need not come at an environmental cost. These days, there are a variety of products aimed at giving us better options for household cleaning tasks. Consider making a transition to eco-friendly cleaning products, leveraging online reviews to find the best options. These natural products offer a double advantage: protecting your health from harsh chemicals and safeguarding waterways from pollution. Embrace the Digital Revolution In an era of technology, going paperless is more than a convenience; it’s a commitment to the environment. Utilize mobile scanning apps to convert your physical records into digital formats. This simple change not only declutters your space but also saves countless trees, reducing your ecological footprint one sheet at a time. By saving your documents as PDFs, you also get peace of mind that your important documents are secure. Cultivate Mindfulness in Consumption Every purchase and every discarded item tells a story of your impact on the planet. Adopt a mindful approach to living by evaluating your needs versus wants. Opt for reusable alternatives to single-use plastics, and strive to minimize food waste. These conscious choices, though small in isolation, collectively forge a path toward sustainability. Support Your Local Food Heroes The food on your plate travels a story of its own. By choosing locally sourced produce, you cut down on the carbon emissions associated with transportation. Not only that, but local food providers contribute less waste than a grocery store does. Beyond the environmental benefits, buying local supports small farmers and contributes to the resilience of community food systems, fostering a closer connection to the source of your nourishment. Rekindle Your Bond with Nature In the hustle of daily life, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the natural world. Reestablish this vital connection by spending time outdoors, be it through hiking, gardening, or simply observing the beauty around you. This reconnection deepens your appreciation for the planet, fueling your motivation to protect and preserve it for future generations. Not only that, but spending time outdoors can help you sleep better and improve your mood. The magnitude of climate change cannot be understated, yet the capacity for individual action to enact change is equally significant. Equipped with knowledge and a commitment to sustainable living, each person has the potential to significantly reduce their environmental footprint. Mindful choices in daily life, from consumption to advocacy, pave the way for a more sustainable future. This journey, consisting of numerous small steps, collectively brings us closer to a healthier planet for future generations. Green Initiative offers resources and solutions to help businesses create a more eco-friendly model. Have a question for the team? Reach out today via the contact form. This article was written in collaboration with Davis Jameson, from businessisfun.net

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The European Union Raises the Bar on Climate Claims Why Tackling Greenwashing is Key to Empowering Consumers for a Sustainable Future

The European Union Raises the Bar on Climate Claims: Why Tackling Greenwashing is Key to Empowering Consumers for a Sustainable Future

The European Union has taken a significant leap forward in its commitment to a sustainable future with the European Parliament’s adoption of the Directive on empowering consumers for the green transition (EmpCo Directive). This groundbreaking legislation amends the Directives on unfair commercial practices (2005/29/EC) and consumer rights (2011/83/EU) to establish stricter requirements for environmental and sustainability-related advertising, marking a critical step in the fight against greenwashing and towards a culture of transparency and accountability to support the green transition and the circular economy. Clarifying Environmental Claims At the heart of the EmpCo Directive is the introduction of limits on making generic environmental claims, and on the use of sustainability labels. This aims to ensure that when products claim to be “green”, “eco-friendly” or “ecological”, the claims are substantiated and meaningful, cutting through the fog of vague or misleading marketing. In particular, the Directive targets climate claims such as “climate friendly” or “climate neutral”, requiring them to be supported by clear, objective, publicly available and verifiable corporate commitments and targets, set out in a detailed and realistic implementation plan that shows how these commitments and targets will be achieved and how resources will be allocated, and regularly verified by an independent third party, with the results made available to consumers. Combatting Greenwashing One of the most powerful aspects of the EmpCo Directive is its ‘blacklist’ of unfair commercial practices. Practices that are considered inherently unfair include 1) the use of sustainability labels that are not based on a certification scheme or established by public authorities, 2) the use of generic environmental claims that are not based on evidence of recognized excellent environmental performance, and 3) the claim that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions based on GHG offsetting. By eliminating deceptive practices from the outset, this will make it easier for consumers to trust the sustainability claims they encounter, while ensuring a level playing field for companies. This provides clarity and transparency for those companies that already follow international best practice in sustainability certification. Implementing the Change The EmpCo Directive sets out a timetable for EU Member States to transpose these rules into national law, with full implementation expected by mid-2026. The transition period provides businesses with an opportunity to start aligning their practices with the new rules, while pursuing decarbonization and integrating science-based climate- and nature-positive practices into their operations and communicating them to customers. As such, the Directive not only empowers consumers but also challenges businesses to innovate and truly embed sustainability into their operations. It represents a collective step towards a more sustainable and equitable European market, where consumers can make informed choices, and businesses compete on the authenticity of their commitment to the planet. Environmental labels based on a certification scheme, such as the Green Initiative’s climate labels, will play a key role in helping companies to integrate best practices into their business models while also informing customers of their exemplary environmental performance, contributing to value addition and transparency. A Collective Step Towards Sustainability As society embraces the EmpCo Directive, it stands at the threshold of a transformative journey towards sustainability. It’s a journey that requires the participation of all – businesses, consumers, and policymakers – united by the common goal of ensuring a thriving, sustainable future for generations to come. Together, we can turn the tide towards a more sustainable world, where transparency, accountability, and genuine green practices are the norm, not the exception. For advice and support on how your company can meet its climate and nature goals based on sound technical practices that can deliver new competitive advantages and innovation in products and services, please contact us. Written by Frédéric Perron-Welch, Head of Climate and Nature Policy from the Green Initiative Team.

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