SocEnv supports 'Contract and Convergence' for a fairer, carbon–neutral world

Colin Challen MP, Chair of the House of Commons All Party Committee on Climate Change, addressed the Society's Board, at it's meeting on 7th March, on the value of 'Contraction and Convergence' - the so called 'C and C' framework for delivering sustainable and equitable low carbon economies worldwide.

Colin Challen MP, Chair of the House of Commons All Party Committee on Climate Change, addressed the Society's Board, at it's meeting on 7^th March, on the value of ‘Contraction and Convergence‘ - the so called ‘C and C' framework for delivering sustainable and equitable low carbon economies worldwide.

Colin Challen told the Board, "We can compare the problem of adverse climate change to the effects of another world war. The situation today is similar to that which existed before World War II. The majority of people now recognise that climate change is a real threat having come through the ‘denial phase'. Some are now in the ‘appeasement' stage - thinking that we will find a simple solution and may not have to do anything, and that we can get back to business as usual. However, a few enlightened leaders such as Stavros Demas, the EU Commissioner for the Environment, recognise that we are into the total war stage - where we need to radically change the way we operate our economies if we are to survive this crisis of global warming."

The Society's Board unanimously agreed that the ‘Contract and Convergence' framework provides an important step forward in helping all sectors of community, business and government to understand how we can move forward together, on a global scale, to tackle climate change. John Brady, Chair of the Society welcomed this approach and said, "On behalf of the Society for the Environment I am proud to endorse the ‘Contraction and Convergence' framework which will be important in helping us to work towards a sustainable and equitable future, not just for the UK but communities and economies worldwide."

‘Contraction and Convergence' acknowledges that all people, regardless of where they live in the world have an equal right to the Earth's resources. Under ‘Contraction and Convergence' models the rich are encouraged to give up a proportion of their share of resources to support those countries that go without.