Newswise — A recent study conducted by the University of Eastern Finland suggests that most sustainability researchers argue that affluent countries need to expand their focus beyond economic growth in order to attain sustainable development. Published in the scientific journal Ecological Economics, the study explored the desired trajectories for countries with varying income levels, involving 461 scholars specializing in sustainability. The survey findings illuminate the essential strategic decisions required to accomplish worldwide sustainability.
The study centered on green growth and post-growth economic approaches. Green growth pursues the improvement of societal and environmental well-being while the economy expands. Conversely, post-growth paths challenge this perspective and advocate for a transition beyond growth, prioritizing environmental and societal well-being over economic growth.
"This study unveils that more than 75 percent of sustainability scholars advocate for post-growth trajectories for affluent countries within this decade," states Teemu Koskimäki, a Postdoctoral Researcher from the University of Eastern Finland who conducted the research. "Regarding less affluent countries, the majority of scholars expressed a preference for either green growth or post-growth pathways."
Different paths are needed in countries with different income levels
During the study, scholars were requested to determine the suitable pathways for different income groups of countries in the 2020s and 2030s to accomplish global sustainable development. An analysis of the responses highlighted a notable rise in support for post-growth paths over time, accompanied by a decline in support for green growth across all contexts. Koskimäki underlines that the research outcomes challenge the prevailing approach centered on green growth.
"At present, the global Sustainable Development Goals primarily revolve around green growth. Nevertheless, researchers stress the pressing necessity to incorporate post-growth strategies, especially within affluent countries."
Koskimäki emphasizes the crucial significance of comprehending the perspectives of sustainability scholars regarding appropriate pathways for countries with varying income levels.
"Policy-makers across different levels and sectors can rely on these experts as they navigate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."
While sustainability scholars express a preference for post-growth paths, the study reveals that their familiarity with this approach is not as extensive as it is with green growth.
"In my study, I specifically address the challenges that may arise from this knowledge and skills gap, which can hinder the attainment of global sustainability," highlights Koskimäki.
GDP is an insufficient measure of societal well-being
The study also discovered that a majority of sustainability scholars who participated in the survey regard Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as an insufficient measure of societal well-being.
"This highlights the necessity for a broader discourse on progress indicators, particularly for wealthier nations, where the costs of ongoing consumption growth outweigh its benefits," emphasizes Koskimäki.
Based on the conclusions drawn from the study, it is recommended that research, education, and policymaking should prioritize targeted transformative change, with a specific emphasis on facilitating post-growth strategies within the wealthiest nations.
The study provides crucial insights into the equitable and effective implementation of diverse sustainability strategies, highlighting the importance of targeted approaches that consider economic disparities among countries. According to Koskimäki, this acknowledgment has the potential to facilitate the fair and efficient realization of sustainability goals, both at local and global levels.
"The study brings to light a potential contradiction between the sustainability paths outlined in sustainability reports and favored by political decision-makers, as compared to those preferred by scholars," concludes Koskimäki. "To ensure that we are pursuing the appropriate transformations and implementing them in a deliberate manner, a broader and more inclusive conversation is imperative."
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