This briefing examines the origins of the neoliberal economic paradigm and carbon "offset culture" of the G8 nations and other power blocs in the context of climate change, and the way it is being enthusiastically applied as a panacea in other areas of environmental policy as well. It argues that the "win-win" rhetoric pervading the climate discourse is an attempt to confound and marginalise those seeking more meaningful and effective action on climate change. Moreover, it contributes to increased corporate power and further commodification of natural resources such as the earth's carbon-cycling capacity.
The paper is critical of both corporate, institutional and market-environmentalist NGO "greenwash" - presenting a positive public image for environmentally unsound practices. It claims that free-market environmentalism and increased trade and investment liberalisation in the area of "environmental goods" and "ecosystem services" is ultimately a false promise. Carbon as a tradeable commodity item represents a great threat to averting the climate crisis. According to the paper, increasingly corporate-friendly trade measures and the promotion of global investment - under the pretence of sustainable development - is a red herring. For activists seeking to engender meaningful social and environmental change in the climate arena, these trends must be challenged outright.
Activism on climate change must begin to grapple with the wider issues, and promote greater synergies with other important struggles in the areas of trade, finance, human rights, environmental justice and democracy, if an effective challenge to the neoliberal paradigm is to be mounted. This is, ultimately, in the interests of broader ambitions for people and planet, or even the more specific and urgent need to combat the root causes of climate change.
