A detailed new review by leading experts in sustainability science, recently published in The Lancet Planetary Health, challenges the traditional view that economic growth is indispensable for societal advancement. Spearheaded by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) and titled “Post-growth: the science of wellbeing within planetary boundaries,” the review delves into the burgeoning field of post-growth research. It presents a strong case for shifting focus from perpetual economic expansion to prioritising human well-being and ecological sustainability. The research team included contributors from a range of prestigious institutions across the globe, including the University of Barcelona, the University of Leeds, the University of Oxford, York University, Boston College, the University of Lausanne, and the Central European University.

This groundbreaking review synthesises the most recent insights across various disciplines, such as ecological economics, wellbeing economics, and degrowth. The authors contend that pursuing continuous economic growth in affluent nations is not only ecologically unsustainable but may also lack social benefits and financial viability. They highlight the close link between GDP growth and environmental degradation, diminishing returns of income on well-being, and the perils associated with economic downturns as critical factors driving the post-growth agenda.

The review revisits significant findings, such as the Limits to Growth. It reexamines the conclusions of the 1972 report “Limits to Growth,” noting that current trends align with the “Double Resources” scenario predicted in the report, where societal collapse is precipitated by pollution rather than scarcity of resources. This scenario is particularly relevant regarding ongoing climate change and biodiversity loss concerns.

Another critical finding discussed is the concept of decoupling. Although it’s common to see a relative decoupling of GDP from resource use, the review finds no evidence of a sustained, absolute, and sufficient decoupling. Projections suggest that achieving such decoupling is unlikely, even with optimistic assumptions about technological advancements. Furthermore, the review identifies social limits to growth, indicating that further economic growth fails to enhance human wellbeing beyond a certain income level, and the adverse effects of growth—such as pollution and social unrest—may outweigh its advantages. As GDP increases, there are diminishing returns for social outcomes like health, education, and poverty alleviation.

The review promotes the development of ecological macroeconomic models that explore policies for thriving without growth. It discusses various policies to reduce growth dependency and enhance well-being, including universal essential services, reduced working hours, job guarantees, and the imposition of carbon and wealth taxes. It also emphasises that high levels of well-being are achievable with lower resource consumption, advocating for focusing on public services, income equality, and democratic quality to meet human needs sustainably.

Finally, the review addresses the unequal exchanges between the Global North and the Global South, where wealthier nations exploit resources and labour from poorer countries. Adopting post-growth strategies in high-income countries could benefit low-income nations by mitigating this exploitation. However, it also warns that post-growth could adversely impact low-income countries reliant on exports to wealthier nations unless these countries adopt policies that promote monetary sovereignty, industrial policy, and effective disengagement from high-income economies. Despite acknowledging the existing knowledge gaps, particularly concerning the politics of transition and the relationships between the Global North and South, the review calls for further research into the geopolitical implications of post-growth scenarios and the factors that can decouple social outcomes from GDP. This comprehensive review marks a significant paradigm shift in our understanding of progress. It outlines a roadmap for crafting societies prioritising human and planetary health above economic growth, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.

More information: Giorgos Kallis et al, Post-growth: the science of wellbeing within planetary boundaries, The Lancet Planetary Health. DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00310-3

Journal information: The Lancet Planetary Health Provided by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona