December 20, 2023
The widely embraced concept of green growth, aiming to harmonize environmental objectives with economic prosperity, is encountering skepticism, notably in high-income nations. Across the globe, researchers are actively investigating alternative paradigms such as "degrowth" and "agrowth," often collectively referred to as post-growth. These emerging perspectives challenge the traditional belief in the seamless integration of economic and environmental goals.Defining Degrowth and Agrowth:
Degrowth advocates planned material consumption reduction in affluent nations for sustainable and equitable societies, while agrowth maintains a neutral stance on economic growth, prioritizing sustainability regardless of GDP fluctuations. Both challenge the predominant green growth paradigm, with degrowth representing a more critical perspective.The decoupling debate:
Central to the discourse is the concept of decoupling, questioning whether economic growth can occur without increased environmental degradation or greenhouse gas emissions. Absolute decoupling is crucial for green growth success, where emissions decrease during economic growth, not just grow more slowly.Diverse views on decoupling:
Agrowth takes a mixed stance on decoupling, with some believing it's plausible under the right policies, while others argue GDP is an inadequate indicator of societal progress, leading to the "GDP paradox."Expert opinions on growth paradigms:
A survey of 789 global researchers reveals that 73% express agrowth or degrowth views, with agrowth being more popular. Geographic and disciplinary disparities exist, with EU and OECD researchers showing high skepticism, while non-OECD nations, especially in emerging economies, lean towards green growth.Disciplinary divide:
Environmental and social scientists, excluding orthodox economists, are most skeptical, while economists and engineers exhibit higher preference for green growth, possibly due to trust in technological progress and economic models.Income and skepticism:
As national income rises, skepticism towards green growth increases, suggesting that at higher income levels, experts support the idea that the socio-environmental costs of growth may outweigh the benefits. The Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) further influences these views.Conclusion:
In a world addressing climate change and socio-economic disparities, these findings emphasize the need for a holistic dialogue on sustainable development beyond the conventional green growth paradigm. Global climate change hotspots