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Societal transformations for a sustainable economy

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  • Tim Jackson

Abstract

This paper explores some social aspects of the transition to a sustainable economy. Starting from basic premises of ecological limits and social justice, the author examines the complex relationship between income and human well‐being and argues that the rich world has a responsibility to “make room for growth” where it matters most in terms of improved well‐being; that is, in the poorest nations. The paper argues that this cannot be achieved simply through efficiency improvements or material “decoupling”. A simple scenario analysis is used to illustrate the heroic nature of the assumptions that decoupling can achieve global carbon targets. Even if such assumptions are technically justifiable, economic incentives and social logic conspire against technological improvements of this magnitude. Instead, there is a need for profound transformation of the economic system itself, for which the rich nations must take a primary responsibility. This transformation has implications for incentive structures, ownership patterns, investment portfolios, the organisation of financial markets, and the structure of economic activities and for expectations of economic growth. It also demands a new economics, informed by a broader — and more realistic — vision of human nature.

Suggested Citation

  • Tim Jackson, 2011. "Societal transformations for a sustainable economy," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 35(3), pages 155-164, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:35:y:2011:i:3:p:155-164
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2011.01395.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tim Jackson, 2005. "Live Better by Consuming Less?: Is There a “Double Dividend” in Sustainable Consumption?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 9(1‐2), pages 19-36, January.
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    2. Kühl, Jana, 2022. "Practices and infrastructures for sufficiency-oriented lifestyles," Forschungsberichte der ARL: Aufsätze, in: Spatial transformation: Processes, strategies, research design, volume 19, pages 61-74, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
    3. Tomasz Małysa & Bożena Gajdzik, 2020. "Predictive Models of Accidents at Work in the Steel Sector as a Framework for Sustainable Safety," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, December.
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    5. Michaela Kesselring & Frank Wagner & Moritz Kirsch & Leila Ajjabou & Richard Gloaguen, 2020. "Development of Sustainable Test Sites for Mineral Exploration and Knowledge Spillover for Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, March.
    6. Nicolas Piluso & Edwin Le Héron, 2017. "La taxe carbone dans une économie d'inspiration keynésienne," Post-Print hal-01454866, HAL.
    7. D'Amato, D. & Korhonen, J. & Toppinen, A., 2019. "Circular, Green, and Bio Economy: How Do Companies in Land-Use Intensive Sectors Align with Sustainability Concepts?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 116-133.
    8. Roinioti, Argiro & Koroneos, Christopher, 2017. "The decomposition of CO2 emissions from energy use in Greece before and during the economic crisis and their decoupling from economic growth," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 448-459.
    9. Therese Bennich & Salim Belyazid, 2017. "The Route to Sustainability—Prospects and Challenges of the Bio-Based Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, May.
    10. José Antonio Plaza‐Úbeda & Miguel Pérez‐Valls & José Joaquín Céspedes‐Lorente & Belén Payán‐Sánchez, 2020. "The contribution of systems theory to sustainability in degrowth contexts: The role of subsystems," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(1), pages 68-81, January.
    11. Frauke Urban & Giuseppina Siciliano & Linda Wallbott & Markus Lederer & Anh Dang Nguyen, 2018. "Green transformations in Vietnam's energy sector," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(3), pages 558-582, September.
    12. Claborn, Kelly A. & Brooks, Jeremy S., 2019. "Can We Consume Less and Gain More? Environmental Efficiency of Well-being at the Individual Level," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 110-120.
    13. Thörnqvist Christer & Kilstam Jonna, 2021. "Aligning Corporate Social Responsibility with the United Nations’ Sustainability Goals: Trickier than it Seems?: A Study of Social Entrepreneurship in Sweden," Economics, Sciendo, vol. 9(1), pages 161-177, June.
    14. Mair, Simon & Druckman, Angela & Jackson, Tim, 2019. "Higher Wages for Sustainable Development? Employment and Carbon Effects of Paying a Living Wage in Global Apparel Supply Chains," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 11-23.
    15. Mishal J. Al-Thani & Muammer Koç, 2023. "In Search of Sustainable Economy Definition: A Qatari Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, June.
    16. Kühl, Jana, 2019. "Praktiken und Infrastrukturen gelebter Suffizienz," Forschungsberichte der ARL: Aufsätze, in: Abassiharofteh, Milad & Baier, Jessica & Göb, Angelina & Thimm, Insa & Eberth, Andreas & Knaps, Falc (ed.), Räumliche Transformation: Prozesse, Konzepte, Forschungsdesigns, volume 10, pages 65-79, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
    17. Skawińska Eulalia & Zalewski Romuald I., 2018. "Circular Economy as a Management Model in the Paradigm of Sustainable Development," Management, Sciendo, vol. 22(2), pages 217-233, December.

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