In November 2020, Victoria’s parliament became the first in Australia to endorse a Green New Deal (GND). It was a sign of the times — as climate denial retreats toward the fringes, politicians of various ideological hues are adopting the rhetoric associated with radical GND proposals. Governments — and even some fossil fuel companies — are repositioning themselves on climate change and renewables, as recession and stagnation make economic stimulus policies more attractive.

In the post-Corbyn, post-Sanders, and post-Trump era, the political terrain is rapidly shifting. These shifts will be disorienting if we aren’t clear about the differences between decarbonization and greenwashing. Instead of cheering on measures that really amount to the transfer of public funds to private capital, we must push for investments in renewables that actually empower workers and citizens.