The document discusses the moral justification of co-benefits from climate change strategies. It provides two examples: (1) The city of Hasselt implemented free public transportation, resulting in improved mobility for residents and a shift to more sustainable transportation. (2) Norwegian cities saw a boost in private electric vehicle usage through incentives like charging stations and toll exemptions, supporting Oslo's goal of reducing emissions. The document examines whether co-benefits like these can be morally justified and what the best approach is, noting questions around rights to mobility and sustainability that require consideration.

1. http://blogs.worldbank.org/climatechange/all-politics-local-goes-climate-solutions-too
Are Co-benefits Morally Sound?
An ethical reflection on collateral benefits coming
from climate change strategies
Rita Vasconcellos d’Oliveira
NTNU Programme for Applied Ethics
Department of Philosophy and Department of Process Engineering
Contested Natures- new strategies, ideas and dialogues
Working Group 4. Is the Value of Growth in the Antroposcene an Oxymoron?

2. 2
Do Co-benefits have a moral side?
Questions
Can Co-benefits be morally justified?
YES
What is the best approach to moral justification of co-benefits?
YES

3. 3
Outline
I- Introduction
1. City of Hasselt: ‘Free Public Transportation’ initiative;
2. Norwegian cities: The boost of private electric vehicles usage.
II- The hidden (co-)benefits and their moral dimension
1. What are co-benefits?;
2. The moral side of co-benefits.
III- The changing role of Co-benefits in Climate Change Mitigation
context
1. Unexpected effects of co-benefits
2. What matters the most?
3. Conclusions
In: http://blogs.worldbank.org/climatechange/all-politics-local-goes-climate-solutions-too

4. 4
Introduction
I.1- City of Hasselt: ‘Free Public Transportation’ initiative
´Hasselt Samen Anders Mobiel´
In:https://www.google.pt/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1312&bih=838&q=hasselt+in+belgium+map&oq=hasselt+in+belgium+map&gs_l=img.3...
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In:https://www.google.pt/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1312&bih=838&q=hasselt+in+belgium+map&oq=hasselt+in+belgium+map&gs_l=img.3...43019.5
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In: http://intermodes.com/en/newsletter_en
Objective:
‘To convince its population and visitors, by means of targeted marketing
campaigns and an ongoing dialogue, that to travel in an eco-friendly way
is better and more convenient than by car.’ (Lambrechts, 2001)
Strategy: The city council pays for each passenger ticket.

5. 5
Introduction
I.2- City of Oslo: The boost of private electric vehicles
usage in Norwegian cities
Lov om endringer i lov 19. juni 2009 nr. 58 om merverdiavgift (merverdiavgiftsloven);
LOV-1965-06-18-4-§7a
‘Urban Ecology Programme 2011-2026’ plan
https://www.google.pt/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1312&bih=838&q=hasselt+in+belgium+map&oq=hasselt+in+belgium+map&gs_l=img.3...43019.51654.1.52453.21.11.
2.8.10.0.92.650.11.11.0.msedr...0...1ac.1.64.img..9.21.1082.ujGm55i98D8#hl=en&tbm=isch&q=oslo+road+map&imgdii=E0AURdb-MRHh6M%3A%3BE0AURdb-
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map.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.planetware.com%252Ftourist-attractions-%252Foslo-n-osl-oslo.htm%3B1200%3B1044
In:
https://www.google.pt/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1312&bih=838&q=hasselt+in+b
elgium+map&oq=hasselt+in+belgium+map&gs_l=img.3...43019.51654.1.52453.21.11.2.8.10.0.92.650.11.11.0.m
sedr...0...1ac.1.64.img..9.21.1082.ujGm55i98D8#hl=en&tbm=isch&q=oslo+in+norway+map&imgrc=LHlfDVymXs
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In:https://www.google.pt/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1312&bih=838&q=hasselt+in+belgium+map&oq=hasselt+in
+belgium+map&gs_l=img.3...43019.51654.1.52453.21.11.2.8.10.0.92.650.11.11.0.msedr...0...1ac.1.64.img..9.21.1082.ujGm55i98D8#hl=en&tb
m=isch&q=Electric+cars+oslo&imgrc=ND4OJHXX7Tij9M%253A%3BY9izPjcBFVHztM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.thelocal.no%252Fuserdat
a%252Fimages%252Farticle%252F48184b48181b7bf825e52d8bb720a1579b50bb1f08173b1fba2a14b9b49ff3e7.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252
Fwww.thelocal.no%252F20140831%252Fbooming-electric-car-sales-under-fire-in-norway%3B468%3B271
Objective:
‘By 2030, is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent
compared to 1991 and by 2050 it is expected to be climate neutral.’(Pas
2014).’

6. 6
Introduction
I.2- City of Oslo: The boost of private electric vehicles
usage in Norwegian cities
Lov om endringer i lov 19. juni 2009 nr. 58 om merverdiavgift (merverdiavgiftsloven);
LOV-1965-06-18-4-§7a
‘Urban Ecology Programme 2011-2026’ plan
https://www.google.pt/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1312&bih=838&q=hasselt+in+belgium+map&oq=hasselt+in+belgium+map&gs_l=img.3...43019.51654.1.52453.21.11.
2.8.10.0.92.650.11.11.0.msedr...0...1ac.1.64.img..9.21.1082.ujGm55i98D8#hl=en&tbm=isch&q=oslo+road+map&imgdii=E0AURdb-MRHh6M%3A%3BE0AURdb-
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map.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.planetware.com%252Ftourist-attractions-%252Foslo-n-osl-oslo.htm%3B1200%3B1044
In:
https://www.google.pt/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1312&bih=838&q=hasselt+in+b
elgium+map&oq=hasselt+in+belgium+map&gs_l=img.3...43019.51654.1.52453.21.11.2.8.10.0.92.650.11.11.0.m
sedr...0...1ac.1.64.img..9.21.1082.ujGm55i98D8#hl=en&tbm=isch&q=oslo+in+norway+map&imgrc=LHlfDVymXs
1wHM%253A%3BTBJMCulpxnQuBM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F66south.com%252FNansen%252Ffiles%252Fn
orway_web.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F66south.com%252FNansen%252F%3B430%3B506
In:https://www.google.pt/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1312&bih=838&q=hasselt+in+belgium+map&oq=hasselt+in
+belgium+map&gs_l=img.3...43019.51654.1.52453.21.11.2.8.10.0.92.650.11.11.0.msedr...0...1ac.1.64.img..9.21.1082.ujGm55i98D8#hl=en&tb
m=isch&q=Electric+cars+oslo&imgrc=ND4OJHXX7Tij9M%253A%3BY9izPjcBFVHztM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.thelocal.no%252Fuserdat
a%252Fimages%252Farticle%252F48184b48181b7bf825e52d8bb720a1579b50bb1f08173b1fba2a14b9b49ff3e7.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252
Fwww.thelocal.no%252F20140831%252Fbooming-electric-car-sales-under-fire-in-norway%3B468%3B271
Strategy: establishment of a wide charging net, free charging in
public charging stations, the use of bus lanes, and toll exemptions
for Oslo’s ring road.

7. 7
Co-benefits and their Moral Dimension
II.1- What are Co-benefits?
Climate Change
Discourse
Climate Change
strategies
/actions
Co-
benefits
Co-benefits: Emerging advantages of the implementation of measures regarding
the lowering of GHG emissions.
Impact
level
Category of co-benefit Description
Global
GHG Emissions Reduction GHG emissions reduced mainly through cutting fossil fuels consumption
and improving energy efficiency
Local
Air quality improvement Reduction of pollutants such as SO2, NOx, PM, CO.
Water quality improvement Reduction of pollutants in water such as COD and BOD, etc. GHG
emissions (e.g. CO2, CH4) are also reduced in the process of water
quality improvement.
Health Reduced medical/hospital visits, reduced lost working days, reduced
acute and chronic respiratory symptoms, reduced asthma attacks,
increased life expectancy.
Economic Increase in local GDP and employment rate. Improved welfare.
Table 1- General aspects of the co-benefit term in sustainable development discourse. Adapted and expanded from Jiang,
Chen et al. (2013)
In: http://bit.do/CoBenefits In: https://twitter.com/GCHAlliance/media
In: http://bit.do/CoBenefits

8. 8In: http://www.env-health.org/resources/publications/article/the-co-benefits-
to-health-of-a-947
Co-benefits and their Moral Dimension
II.2- The moral side of co-benefits
Examples from scientific literature:
• ‘Counting good: quantifying the co-benefits of improved efficiency in buildings’ (Ürge-
Vorsatz, Novikova et al. 2009)
• ‘The forgotten benefits of climate change mitigation: innovation, technological
leapfrogging, employment, and sustainable development.’ (Jochem, Madlener 2003)
• Co-benefits are presented as valid reasons for GHG’s emissions strategies;
• Sometimes presented as more important than climate change mitigation. E.g. Health
Improvements;
• There is a shared belief, that co-benefits are good and desirable.
Necessity of Moral Justification of Co-benefits
In:https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/31602477/climate-
change-mitigation-initiatives-in-urban-unu-wider

9. 9
In: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-12-
735_en.htm
Co-benefits and their Moral Dimension
II.2- The moral side of co-benefits
‘Hasselt Samen Anders Mobiel’
‘By making public transport free of charge it became possible to guarantee the right to
mobility for all residents.’(Lambrechts 2001)
‘We have seen a shift from mobility to sustainable mobility. … (it) stands for the development
of a form of mobility that takes into account the needs of the current generation without
endangering the mobility needs of the future generation.’ (Lambrechts 2001)
Questions:
• Is there a right to (sustainable) mobility?
• Does the right to sustainable mobility include or not environmental
concerns?
• Can the precautionary principle be applied?
• How does the future generations’ concern fit here?
In:http://www.eoi.es/blogs/mariaangelicadelatorre/files/2012/03/20091204_l
arge_sustainable_mobility.gif

10. 10
http://computingforsustainability.com/2009/03/16/more-sustainability-
diagrams/
Co-benefits and their Moral Dimension
II.2- The moral side of co-benefits
‘The boost of private electric vehicles usage’
‘The city (Oslo) (…) aims to be a sustainable urban community where everyone has a
right to clean air, clean water and access to attractive outdoor recreation areas.’(Røsland 2013)
Question:
• Can there be a right to an urban sustainable
community?
o Are there other co-benefits not accounted for?
o Are those unaccounted co-benefits part of (other)
established rights?
Which moral tradition an better justify the co-benefits?
In General:

11. 11
The role of Co-benefits in Climate Change Mitigation
III.1- Unexpected effects of co-benefits
In:http://news.mongabay.com/bioenergy/2007/11/report-energy-saving-and-efficiency.html
Question:
How to (still) morally justify the co-benefits?
• The prove of existence;
No studies were conducted to now exactly the new number of private vehicles circulating in Hasselt.
• Overall impact of co-benefits;
‘Travellers transferred from cars, but cyclists also started using the free bus.’ (Canters, 2014)
• (Possible) rebound effect

12. 12
III.2- What matters the most?
• Climate change mitigation vs Co-benefits;
• What (moral) guidelines for the choice between different climate
change mitigation strategies with different co-benefits?;
• How to deal with trade-offs situations?
Private electric
cars
Free public
transportation
In: http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/agriculture/greening-agricultural-
policy/copy_of_Figure2GreeningtheCAP.jpg
The role of Co-benefits in Climate Change Mitigation
Question:
How to (still) morally justify co-benefits?

13. 13
III.2- Conclusions
Clean air Mobility
Clean
water
Sustainable
mobility
RIGHTS
The role of Co-benefits in Climate Change Mitigation
How to morally justify all co-benefits?
Co-benefits of different ‘natures’
Mobility
Clean air
Clean
water
Sustainable
Mobility

14. 14
III.2- Conclusions
Clean air Mobility
Clean
water
Sustainable
mobility
UTILITY
The role of Co-benefits in Climate Change Mitigation
The intrinsic limits to maximization
Possible for all?
How to morally justify all co-benefits?

15. 15
III.2- Conclusions
Clean air Mobility
Clean water
Sustainable
mobility
RIGHTS
Clean air Mobility
Clean water
Sustainable
mobility
UTILITY
Under which moral tradition?
The ‘wellbeing of people’ is a smoother path to an
integrative justification of co-benefits.
The role of Co-benefits in Climate Change Mitigation
The intrinsic limits to maximizationCo-benefits of different ‘natures’
Co-benefits can be morally justified?
YES

16. 16
TAKK!

17. 17
References
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