Carbon Tunnel Syndrome

“Carbon Tunnel Syndrome" describes the phenomenon whereby there is an overemphasis - or exclusive emphasis - on climate change, particularly carbon reduction, to the exclusion of other important sustainability issues, such as human rights, social sustainability, and equity considerations. This term conveys that the narrow focus on carbon-related aspects of sustainability may result in a "tunnel vision" effect, where other equally critical sustainability dimensions are overlooked or marginalised, potentially leading to unintended consequences or incomplete sustainability efforts.

While the focus on carbon reduction is undoubtedly critical in addressing climate change, the term "Carbon Tunnel Syndrome" communicates that an excessive or exclusive emphasis on this aspect of sustainability may result in unintended consequences. One potential implication of "Carbon Tunnel Syndrome" is that other important sustainability issues, such as social justice, human rights, labour rights, and equity considerations, may be overlooked or marginalised in sustainability efforts.

rightstech

Computer software and technology used to support or enable human rights

The world's first example of rightstech - technology that enables and promotes human rights - is slavefreetrade's distributed human rights intelligence system.

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environmentalisation

The propensity for sustainability practitioners to equate sustainability with environmental sustainabilty, at the expense of all other aspects of sustainability. Equally critical sustainability dimensions are overlooked or marginalised, potentially leading to unintended consequences or incomplete sustainability efforts. Sustainability becomes purely about being green.

The environmentalisation of sustainability efforts across the EU results in a myopic focus on carbon-related aspects of sustainability, resulting in a "tunnel vision" effect.