Environmental contract

An environmental contract is a concept that expresses the rights and responsibilities of citizens, businesses and the state when it comes to the environment. The term aims to outline a framework of mutual obligations for managing environmental impacts, addressing both global and local environmental issues.

Origin and Development

It is not known who invented the term. The British politician David Miliband used it when he was appointed Secretary of State for the Environment in May 2006, both in his blog, and in an article on the BBC News website. He initiated the launch of a wiki, to form an environmental contract. However, the site was edited heavily by Government officials, rendering pointless the exercise to interact with the public.

While the origins of the term are not entirely clear, it is often compared to the social contract, a philosophical idea that outlines the relationship between individuals, society and the sate. The environmental contract draws parallels with this notion, aiming to establish responsibilities for addressing environmental degradation, similar to how the social contract addresses societal welfare and justice.

The term can be seen as an invitation to invite parallels with the idea of a social contract between workers, employers and the state which underpinned the foundation of the welfare state. Some have argued that, just as the social contract was a way of addressing social dislocation, so the environmental contract can be a way of addressing the environmental impacts which pose a threat to people and the planet in the 21st century.

Real-World Applications

The environmental contract has been explored as a means to implement sustainability practices in various sectors. One example is the European Union's Growth Strategy, particularly the Europe 2020 framework, which advocates for a sustainable low-carbon economy and addresses environmental concerns in the context of economic growth. In this case, the EU envisions a collective commitment between governments, businesses, and citizens to work towards sustainability goals, which can be seen as an extension of the environmental contract concept.

Another example is found in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, where companies commit to reducing their environmental footprint and engaging with communities to promote sustainability. Many businesses now align their practices with global sustainability standards, reflecting the principles of the environmental contract by acknowledging their role in environmental preservation.

Environmental citizenship

Environmental citizenship (EC) is a concept related to environmental contract, and is defined as the responsible pro-environmental behavior of citizens who act and participate in society as agents of change in the private and public sphere, on a local, national and global scale, through individual and collective actions, in the direction of solving contemporary environmental problems, preventing the creation of new environmental problems, achieving sustainability as well as developing a healthy relationship with nature.

Environmental citizenship includes the exercise of environmental rights and duties, as well as the identification of the underlying structural causes of environmental degradation and environmental problems, the development of the willingness and the competences for critical and active engagement and civic participation to address those structural causes, acting individually and collectively within democratic means, and taking into account inter- and intra-generational justice. Environmental citizenship is a key factor in EU's growth strategy (Europe 2020) and its vision for Sustainable Development, Green and Cycle economy and Low-carbon society (EU-roadmap 2050).

Because of its emphasis on rights and responsibilities, there are clear links between the environmental contract and notions of environmental citizenship. EC may shed light on the research of environmental contract into the way publics are built in everyday settings, if it is built firmly around the notions of justice, knowledge and language.

Criticism and Limitations

Despite its appeal, the environmental contract concept faces criticism. Some argue that the notion of reciprocal obligations (i.e., "I will act if you act") is insufficient when addressing urgent environmental issues, such as climate change. Advocates for stronger action assert that sustainability efforts should not depend on reciprocal actions from others but rather be driven by the intrinsic urgency of environmental crises. This perspective suggests that an "I will, regardless of what you do" approach may be more responsible when confronting pressing environmental threats.

Additionally, some critics point out that the environmental contract, like its social counterpart, may fail to address the underlying structural causes of environmental degradation, such as overconsumption, industrial practices, and inequitable economic systems. As a result, while the environmental contract may promote cooperation, it may not fully address the systemic changes required to ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

The environmental contract is a framework that provides a basis for mutual responsibility amongst individuals, businesses, and governments in addressing environmental challenges. While it has inspired both policy discussions and corporate commitments to sustainability, it is also subject to criticism regarding its ability to drive meaningful change. Nonetheless, it remains an important concept in discussions about environmental governance, with connections to environmental citizenship and sustainability efforts globally.

See also

• Environmental politics