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POLICIES FOR GREEN GROWTH VERSUS POLICIES FOR NO GROWTH: A Matter of Timing

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Abstract

Advocates of green-growth policies and those who advocate policies to stop growth both accept that the world faces serious environmental problems. They disagree on and debate about appropriate remedies. Green-growth advocates argue that it is possible to create a green economy compatible with sustained growth. The no-growth advocates argue that the whole growth process must be stopped if the planet is to be saved from catastrophe. This short paper argues that choosing the optimal policy for dealing with these serious problems does not require deciding which group is right. Instead it is argued that the optimal policy is to act as if the green-growth advocates are right and only if they are proved wrong by the failure of their policies to do the job, should no-growth policies be attempted.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard G. Lipsey, 2016. "POLICIES FOR GREEN GROWTH VERSUS POLICIES FOR NO GROWTH: A Matter of Timing," Discussion Papers dp16-05, Department of Economics, Simon Fraser University.
    • Handle: RePEc:sfu:sfudps:dp16-05
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tim Jackson & Peter Senker, 2011. "Prosperity without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet," Energy & Environment, , vol. 22(7), pages 1013-1016, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    climate change; green growth; no-growth policies; environmental policies; carbon pricing.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q28 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy
    • Q38 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy (includes OPEC Policy)
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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