Joe Blakey | The University of Manchester (original) (raw)
PhD Researcher in Human Geography working on the politics of carbon accounting. Draws on post-foundational political theory.
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through international o sets. Net zero intuitively sounds like a stronger commitment than the UK ... more through international o sets. Net zero intuitively sounds like a stronger commitment than the UK previously made. However, there are a number of risks and challenges that this new terminology presents that we must tackle head on to ensure a net zero target supports a more ambitious programme of climate action than the one it replaces. What should be prioritised? We must resist the urge to think only about the net zero target date. We need to focus not just on getting to zero, but our pathway of emissions reduction. To limit temperature increases in line with the Paris Agreement, signi cant and rapid cuts in emissions are needed now. For example, our work setting local authority level energy-only carbon budgets has indicated the need for 10-15% per annum reductions for Greater Manchester to be aligned with the Paris Agreement commitments. e UK's net zero 2050 goal refers to all greenhouse gases-but some sectors, for example, road transport and electricity, can and will need to move faster. GGR and emissions reductions; a joined up approach Whilst some sectors will not be able to reach zero, we must remember that many sectors do have the potential to get to, or very close to, 'absolute zero, ' such as our energy system. A long-cited criticism of GGR and o setting schemes is that their consideration may sti e the changes to policy, regulation and investment required to get to absolute zero. is is exacerbated if cheap, and potentially unveri ed, o set products are available on the market and if economic models assume that GGR can be delivered for a lower cost than emissions reductions. For example, the United States and Saudi Arabia arguing against the adoption
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research
Progress in Human Geography, 2020
This paper argues that human geography’s scale debate has arrived at somewhat of an impasse surro... more This paper argues that human geography’s scale debate has arrived at somewhat of an impasse surrounding scale’s relative position to ontology. Divides are most evident between those that see scales as ‘already existing’ and those considering this as a form of ‘ontological reification’ that stifles our understanding of politics. I suggest that reading the ‘politics of scale’ through Jacques Rancière’s political thinking, and in particular his aesthetic approach to the problem of ontological reductionism, can offer one way forward. It enables geographers to take existing ‘common-sense’ ideas around scale seriously whilst also being sensitive to emergent politics.
through international o sets. Net zero intuitively sounds like a stronger commitment than the UK ... more through international o sets. Net zero intuitively sounds like a stronger commitment than the UK previously made. However, there are a number of risks and challenges that this new terminology presents that we must tackle head on to ensure a net zero target supports a more ambitious programme of climate action than the one it replaces. What should be prioritised? We must resist the urge to think only about the net zero target date. We need to focus not just on getting to zero, but our pathway of emissions reduction. To limit temperature increases in line with the Paris Agreement, signi cant and rapid cuts in emissions are needed now. For example, our work setting local authority level energy-only carbon budgets has indicated the need for 10-15% per annum reductions for Greater Manchester to be aligned with the Paris Agreement commitments. e UK's net zero 2050 goal refers to all greenhouse gases-but some sectors, for example, road transport and electricity, can and will need to move faster. GGR and emissions reductions; a joined up approach Whilst some sectors will not be able to reach zero, we must remember that many sectors do have the potential to get to, or very close to, 'absolute zero, ' such as our energy system. A long-cited criticism of GGR and o setting schemes is that their consideration may sti e the changes to policy, regulation and investment required to get to absolute zero. is is exacerbated if cheap, and potentially unveri ed, o set products are available on the market and if economic models assume that GGR can be delivered for a lower cost than emissions reductions. For example, the United States and Saudi Arabia arguing against the adoption
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research
Progress in Human Geography, 2020
This paper argues that human geography’s scale debate has arrived at somewhat of an impasse surro... more This paper argues that human geography’s scale debate has arrived at somewhat of an impasse surrounding scale’s relative position to ontology. Divides are most evident between those that see scales as ‘already existing’ and those considering this as a form of ‘ontological reification’ that stifles our understanding of politics. I suggest that reading the ‘politics of scale’ through Jacques Rancière’s political thinking, and in particular his aesthetic approach to the problem of ontological reductionism, can offer one way forward. It enables geographers to take existing ‘common-sense’ ideas around scale seriously whilst also being sensitive to emergent politics.