The Transnational Struggle over The Making of Net Zero Policies: Energy-Finance Technocrats versus Global Libertarians

Cristina Parau is doing academic research at the Norwegian Science and Technology University and Oxford University, in her empirical research, she explains the causes of the energy transition. On the lecture she will present the following:

Western greenhouse gas emissions have declined: countries like Britain and Norway contribute very little to global CO2 emissions, yet they are under the strongest pressure to decarbonise, which has multiplied the cost of energy; Britain now has the highest energy costs in Western Europe. The outcome of Decarbonization/Net Zero so far threatens to deindustrialise the West while actually increasing CO2 emissions globally. This is a sub-optimal policy, from both an ecological and an economic standpoint; therefore, an alternative explanation must be sought. The empirical puzzle is: Why is this particular decarbonisation path being pursued in the West alone, where the carbon emissions per unit of production is less than anywhere in the developing world? William Nordhaus, the Nobel laureate who pioneered green economics, warned that a too rapid decarbonization would severely damage the economy (Nordhaus 1992, 1994) and the climate emergency is worsened by transferring industry to greater carbon polluters.

Location: 1113 Budapest, Tas vezér street 3-7, MCC – Room 107

Date: June 5, 2023, 5.00-6.30 p.m

The event is open to all interested parties, but the number of seats is limited. Participation is free, but registration is required. The language of the conversation will be English.

Registration!