Session Three

Question 1

How many planetary boundaries have we crossed?

Answer 1

At least four: land conversion, nitrogen and phosphorous loading, biodiversity loss, and climate change

Question 2

Two fundamental mechanisms of growth

Answer 2

Expansion - growing size

vs

Intensification - growing density

Question 3

To meet the UN goal and keep warming to less than 1.5 degrees…

Answer 3

emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050

Question 4

Are we decarbonizing GDP?

Answer 4

Some countries are, but not fast enough

Question 5

Myth of Decoupling

Answer 5

relative decoupling: decline in the ecological intensity per unit of economic output. In this situation, resource impacts decline relative to the GDP, which could still be rising.

Absolute decoupling: refers to a situation in which resource impacts decline in absolute terms. Resource efficiencies must increase at least as fast as economic output does and must continue to improve as the economy grows if absolute decoupling is to occur

Question 6

Relative vs Absolute Decoupling

Answer 6

Relative
- decline in resource intensity per unit of economic output
- increased carbon efficiency but lower than economic growth

Absolute
- resource use declines in absolute terms while economic output rises
- increased carbon efficiency higher than economic growth

Question 7

Key Takeaways

Answer 7

> The power of exponential dynamics
On a limited planet with limited resources, infinite material growth is impossible. There are intrinsic material and physical limits to growth.
Our societies are not decoupling growth, energy, CO2 or material footprint in absolute terms
We are shifting from an era of abundance to dynamics of scarcity, generating conflicts around the access to resources

Question 8

GDP does not take into account

Answer 8

• externalities
• non-market transactions
• quality improvement and inclusion of new products
• sustainable growth
• wealth distribution

Question 9

Green Growth

Answer 9

The current dominant position adopted by international institutions, the EU, and several countries around the world

The concept of growth remains central, and sustainability is viewed as a new competitive market

Question 10

7 Barriers to Green Growth

Answer 10

1. Rising Energy Expenditures
2. Rebound Effects
3. Problem Shifting
4. Underestimated Impact of Services
5. Limited Potential of Recycling
6. Insufficient and Inappropriate Technological Change
7. Cost-Shifting

Question 11

The A-Growth perspective

Answer 11

GDP growth is incompatible with the ecological imperative, decoupling does not happen

The growth concept is reductive and cannot equate with development and wellbeing

Need to develop an agnostic position towards growth

Question 12

Degrowth Perspective

Answer 12

Most radical scenario, the intentional limiting and downscaling of the economy to make it consistent with biophysical boundaries

Some measures advocated include: global cap on key resources, work sharing, universal income

BUT this requires a strong social consensus regarding the objectives

This perspective is coherent with planetary boundaries but has a lack of economic and sociopolitical support

Question 13

To Sum Up GDP

Answer 13

The GDP is problematic and challenged in the context of sustainability

> The prevailing approach today within economic and political spheres is that of Green Growth. Despite the attractive narrative, one strong limitation is its reliance on the concept of absolute decoupling.

> A-growth: relies on a new set of indicators beyond GDP. How to diffuse them?

> Degrowth: are our societies ready for it? What would be the consequences on our lifestyles? How can businesses adapt to it?

Question 14

Anthropocene

Answer 14

a new era in which humankind has a decisive impact on the dynamics of ecosystems