TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE

Barriers, Lessons and Possibilities from COVID-19 for Climate Justice

Authors

  • Emma Yvonne Simons Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-id533

Abstract

COVID–19 has shown that state–led, rapid and transformative change in response to a crisis is possible in Aotearoa New Zealand – and that when designed well, and informed by science and empathy, it can leverage off core societal values of care ethic and community. This article examines this contemporary historical moment as an important lesson for climate justice  in setting precedent for the scale and pace of change required to respond to the climate crisis. It also serves as a counterpoint to the dominant narratives that paint the pandemic response as an outright success or economic failure. Semi–structured and in–depth interviews with change actors and experts during 2020 highlighted that the pandemic provided both opportunities and obstacles for climate justice in Aotearoa.

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Published

21-05-2025

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2023): General Issue

Section

Articles

License

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How to Cite

TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE: Barriers, Lessons and Possibilities from COVID-19 for Climate Justice. (2025). Sites: A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies, 20(2), 70-102. https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-id533