Event Title
Conference on China and Global Climate Change : Reconciling International Fairness and Protection of the Atmospheric Commons
Location
AM308, Lingnan University
Start Date
18-6-2009 11:00 AM
End Date
18-6-2009 12:30 PM
Language
English
Description
By virtue of its sheer size and growth trajectory, China knows it cannot be ignored. The question is whether it can offer leadership in terms of greater responsibility, both towards its own people and the rest of the world. The climate change crisis is the ultimate expression of unsustainable patterns of growth. Based on this perspective of the climate change debate, I explore the theme of responsibility as traditionally focused around the need to limit emissions, but also in terms of the obligation to pursue development aspirations through a different path. I consider the argument that China’s leadership has an opportunity to embark on a path that is consistent with the need to secure a ‘common future’, and highlight both the promise and contradictions of current policy. I conclude by challenging the idea that there is a significant difference between the position of China’s Government and that of most developed nations, and suggest that the promise of a new path for development might still be met if contradictions are finally acknowledged, and experimentation is adopted to pursue bold alternatives, rather than efficient growth models.
Document Type
Presentation
Recommended Citation
Bina, O. (2009). The right to equal aspirations and the obligation to be different, as a basis for a common future. In China and global climate change: Proceedings of the conference held at Lingnan University, Hong Kong, 18-19 June 2009 (pp. 114-127). Centre for Asian Pacific Studies and the Environmental Studies Programme, Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
Included in
The right to equal aspirations and the obligation to be different, as a basis for a common future
AM308, Lingnan University
By virtue of its sheer size and growth trajectory, China knows it cannot be ignored. The question is whether it can offer leadership in terms of greater responsibility, both towards its own people and the rest of the world. The climate change crisis is the ultimate expression of unsustainable patterns of growth. Based on this perspective of the climate change debate, I explore the theme of responsibility as traditionally focused around the need to limit emissions, but also in terms of the obligation to pursue development aspirations through a different path. I consider the argument that China’s leadership has an opportunity to embark on a path that is consistent with the need to secure a ‘common future’, and highlight both the promise and contradictions of current policy. I conclude by challenging the idea that there is a significant difference between the position of China’s Government and that of most developed nations, and suggest that the promise of a new path for development might still be met if contradictions are finally acknowledged, and experimentation is adopted to pursue bold alternatives, rather than efficient growth models.