Moral Maze Is ‘net zero’ a moral pursuit?
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Sep 11, 2025 Alice Evatt, a Research Fellow on Net Zero at the Oxford Environmental Change Unit, and Sorin Baiasu, a philosophy professor focused on Kantian ethics, dive into the moral implications of net zero emissions. They debate whether pursuing net zero is a moral obligation amidst rising energy costs and societal impacts. The conversation navigates complex ethical dilemmas, such as balancing environmental goals with economic realities and the responsibilities of nations to address historical emissions and climate justice.
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Net Zero Framed As Moral Dilemma
- The programme frames net zero as a moral question beyond economics, invoking Kant's categorical imperative versus utilitarian trade-offs.
- That framing sets up a clash between duty-based ethics and consequentialist worries about costs and benefits.
Class Tensions And Grandchildren Argument
- Ella Whelan argues net zero is a class war that harms working-class quality of life for middle‑class virtue signalling.
- Giles Fraser counters he hates the costs but insists action is necessary to protect grandchildren's futures.
Prosperity Versus Global Leadership
- Maurice Cousins accepts climate science but prioritises immediate national welfare and industrial strength over distant targets.
- He argues high energy costs harm prosperity and make the UK a poor model for others to follow.
