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MYTH 9: Without economic growth, sustainable consumption is impossible
KTH, School of Architecture and the Built Environment (ABE), Sustainable development, Environmental science and Engineering, Sustainability Assessment and Management.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8298-9200
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6465-2257
KTH, School of Architecture and the Built Environment (ABE), Sustainable development, Environmental science and Engineering, Strategic Sustainability Studies.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5600-0726
2026 (English)In: Myths about Sustainable Consumption: Dispelled / [ed] Oksana Mont, Informa UK Limited , 2026, p. 165-183Chapter in book (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This chapter critically examines the widespread myth that ‘without economic growth, sustainable consumption is impossible’. It explores the myth by analysing empirical trends in carbon emissions, other environmental impacts and rebound effects, highlighting the insufficiency of current decoupling rates to meet climate and ecological goals. It emphasises that economic growth is not required for technological innovation or green investments, and that well-being can be maintained or improved without GDP growth. By assuming that economic growth is required for sustainable development, environmental and economic policy will continue to be directed towards perpetuating economic growth. There are two main problems associated with this. First, it may be directly counterproductive if there is insufficient decoupling between economic growth and environmental impacts. Second, the myth will prevent alternative strategies that involve a non-growing economy. Instead, it is argued for a more relaxed and goal-oriented stance, suggesting that well-being, equity and sustainability should be prioritised over GDP growth. It offers a compelling argument for redirecting policy and research towards post-growth futures that respect planetary boundaries.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Informa UK Limited , 2026. p. 165-183
National Category
Economics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-378245DOI: 10.4324/9781003613718-14Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105031206582OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-378245DiVA, id: diva2:2046704
Note

Part of ISBN 9781041012184, 9781040869581

QC 20260317

Available from: 2026-03-17 Created: 2026-03-17 Last updated: 2026-03-17Bibliographically approved

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Larsson, MarkusFinnveden, Göran

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