The 2021 Congress of the Association des économistes québécois will take place on May 18-19-20, 2021 online under the theme "Economic Progress and Environmental Protection - Challenges, Opportunities and Best Practices".
The need to act to protect the environment is widely accepted by the scientific community, which is multiplying its calls in this regard. All economic agents are called upon and public policies will have to be developed wisely in order to reduce the social, economic and financial costs resulting from environmental disturbances, to create new development opportunities and to maintain a high and healthy quality of life.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that when individuals, businesses and governments work together, societies can make the necessary behavioral changes. This situation leads us to reflect on the role that economists should play in a context where economic growth and environmental protection must be combined in an accelerated mode. Should we rethink economics in order to take into account the environmental issues that could disrupt the structure of developed economies? In a context of limited resources, how can we implement the required changes?
The 2021 Congress is structured around three main axes: understanding, choosing and acting. Renowned speakers from diverse backgrounds will highlight the nature and interconnectedness of the various environmental challenges we face. They will discuss some of the key challenges that must be overcome and put forward concrete actions that must be taken. Since trade-offs will have to be made, the Congress will also focus on how to choose the best solutions for Quebec and Canadian societies. Finally, the Congress will report on practices and measures already in place, some possible alternative solutions and the economic development opportunities that arise from them.