On the Permissibility (Or Otherwise) of Negative Emissions. Issue 2 (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lenzi, Dominic
• Is Part Of: Ethics, policy & environment. Volume 24:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: Climate justice -- negative emissions -- carbon dioxide removal -- geoengineering; Environmental ethics -- Periodicals; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; 179.1
• DOI: 10.1080/21550085.2021.1885249
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2155-0085

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Limiting dangerous climate change is now widely believed to require negative emissions (NETs), a prospect some believe to be unjust and unacceptably risky. While NETs are not risk-free, I argue that they could be part of minimally just responses to climate change. In doing so, I identify a dilemma between limiting warming to 1.5 ° C, which promises lower climate impacts but implies greater NETs risks, and 2°C, which requires less NETs but promises greater climate impacts. Finally, I consider what the case of NETs reveals about permissibility in the face of non-compliance with principles of climate justice.