La via campesina “[...] another phase of what we identify as ‘green structural adjustment programs’ which seek to align and re-order the national markets and regulations to submit to the fast incoming ‘green capitalism.’”
Status quo in disguise? Many civil society organizations, especially in the global south, have spoken out against the Green Economy idea. Here are some of the reasons.
Subsidies
ignores overconsumption
Developing countries cannot compete with developed north in subsidising research and development of ‘green’ industry. Developed world agro subsidies are not covered by WTO restrictions, so they maintain monopolies
Resource scarcity is caused by the large demand for resources. Mostly that demand is not for satisfying basic human needs. but for supporting over-consuming, excessive lifestyles, mostly in the developed world.
Cupula dos povos “[...] opens new territories to the economy that exploits people and environment, increasing the myth that unlimited economic growth is possible.”
TWN
Third world Network
“an increasing trend of relying on ‘markets’ whereby companies and countries can pollute beyond their assigned limit by buying pollution or emission certificates from other companies or countries.”
New conditionality Could be used as requirements to access loans or financial aid
Risks
Narrow Approach Efforts aimed at development and social advancement are being diverted to environmental conservation
Commodification of nature
Environmental Standards as trade barriers
Reducing human-nature interaction to a mercantilist relationship is not only alienating but also denies the intrinsic value of nature regardless of its utility.
Emerging economies and developing countries wouldn’t be able to meet high standards of more developed and modernized countries
Sources
Cupula dos povos: http://cupuladospovos.org.br/en/2012/05/what-is-at-stake-at-rio20/ Via Campesina: http://www.climate-justice-now.org/la-via-campesina-call-to-action-reclaiming-our-future-rio-20-and-beyond/ TNI: http://www.tni.org/sites/www.tni.org/files/download/green-economy.pdf Stakeholder Forum: http://www.unep.org/civil-society/Portals/59/Documents/13_GMGSF/additional_Resources/Principles_for_a_ green_economy.pdf
Trans National Institute “[...] new tool for global powers to appear to incorporate criticisms of the destructive model of civilisation on the understanding that the assumptions and underlying logics of this model must remain unquestioned?” “[...] effort to demonstrate that [we can resolve planetary crises] without altering existing power structures, nor the relations of domination and exploitation. [...] it is argued that the same market mechanisms and scientific and technological patterns [...] of sustained growth, can save life.” “... opportunistic manipulation of the ecological and social crises. Rather than addressing the real structural causes of inequality and injustices, capital is using “green” language to launch a new round of expansion. Corporations and the financial sector need governments to institutionalise new rules [...] to guarantee them against risks and to create the institutional framework for the financialisation of nature. Many governments are willing partners [...]