Green Economy Reader: Lectures in Ecological Economics and Sustainability PDF
Preview Green Economy Reader: Lectures in Ecological Economics and Sustainability
Studies in Ecological Economics Stanislav Shmelev E ditor Green Economy Reader Lectures in Ecological Economics and Sustainability Studies in Ecological Economics Volume 6 Series editor R. Kerry Turner, University of East Anglia School of Environmental Sciences, Norwich, UK The series “Ecological Economics” aims to present monographs and edited volumes that offer fresh perspectives and overviews on a range of topics in Ecological Economics. Special attention will be given to integrative research methods and techniques and to pluralistic approaches. Fundamental and critical discussions are invited of: theoretical assumptions, ethical starting points, behavioural models, (co) evolutionary change, integration concepts, the ecosystem approach and ecosystem services environmental macroeconomics, industrial ecology, spatial dimensions, thermodynamics and production functions, policy goals and instruments, international policy dimensions, alternative welfare measures, valuation and benefi ts transfer. Particular emphasis will be placed on the interaction between valuation, modelling and evaluation in a multidisciplinary setting; the link between ecology, biodiversity, ecosystem services, economics politics and environmental management; the incorporation of physical fl ows in economic models; and the interface between development, poverty, technology and sustainability. In addition, applied and policy oriented research is welcomed, addressing specifi c resources, substances, materials, regions, sectors, countries or environmental problems. International comparative studies are also encouraged. The ultimate aim of this series is to present a rigorous but broad perspective on contemporary and future environmental policy questions. More information about this series at h ttp://www.springer.com/series/6526 Stanislav Shmelev Editor Green Economy Reader Lectures in Ecological Economics and Sustainability Editor Stanislav Shmelev Environment Europe Ltd Oxford , Oxfordshire , UK ISSN 1389-6954 Studies in Ecological Economics ISBN 978-3-319-38917-2 ISBN 978-3-319-38919-6 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-38919-6 Library of Congress Control Number: 2016953624 © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017 T his work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifi cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfi lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. T he use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specifi c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. T he publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland Foreword Free Thinking Pursuit of Sustainable Development S ince the concept of a ‘green economy’ fi rst came into widespread use at the Rio+20 Conference in 2012, there has been growing interest in the relationship between economics, the environment and our common future. By 2015, that fl edgling con- cept had matured into growing public and private engagement in securing the tran- sition to an ‘inclusive green economy’. Today, it plays a critical role in delivering global commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.T he Green Economy Reader emphasizes this evolu- tion by bringing together different perspectives on ecological economics and refl ect- ing on the need to substantially rethink the way we organize and execute economic policy in this age of the Anthropocene, when human development makes an indel- ible mark on the earth and its atmosphere as never before. T his dynamic dialogue on economics and the environment is largely thanks to the work of the thought leaders who have contributed to this publication, including Herman Daly, Robert Ayres and Tim Jackson. It has been complemented by the expansion of the work of UNEP and its partners in areas such as equitable consump- tion, critical natural capital and the central role of institutions and governance in shaping market outcomes. And it will continue to evolve as we strengthen our understanding of key drivers and obstacles through initiatives like the UNEP Inquiry into the Design of Sustainable Financial Systems, which looks at the role of capital markets in determining sustainability pathways. I recommend The Green Economy Reader to all free thinkers in pursuit of alter- native approaches to delivering an inclusive green economy for a healthy planet and healthy people. By questioning the status quo, the authors depart from ‘business as v vi Foreword usual’ and compel us to consider how social and economic norms can be more deeply aligned with the ecological resilience required to achieve a more equitable and prosperous future for all. I would like to thank them and all of our partners for their determination in the search for sustainable solutions. Nairobi, Kenya Achim Steiner Contents Part I Ecological Economics: Alternative Perspectives 1 The Life Required. Political Economy in the Long Emergency ......... 3 David W. Orr 2 How Economics Can Become Compatible with Democracy ............... 25 Peter Söderbaum 3 Gaps in Mainstream Economics: Energy, Growth, and Sustainability.................................................................................... 39 Robert U. Ayres 4 A Further Critique of Growth Economics ............................................ 55 Herman Daly 5 Multidimensional Assessment of Sustainability: Harmony vs. the Turning Point ............................................................. 67 Stanislav Shmelev 6 System of Accounts for Global Entropy- Production (SAGE-P): The Accounting in the Topological Domain Space (TDS) of the Econosphere, Sociosphere, and the Ecosphere .......................... 99 Anthony Friend Part II Ecological Economics of Physical Balance: Resources, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy 7 The Green Economy in Europe: In Search for a Successful Transition ................................................................................................. 141 Stefan Speck and Roberto Zoboli 8 Measuring Natural Resource Use from the Micro to the Macro Level .................................................................................. 161 Stefan Giljum , Stephan Lutter , and Martin Bruckner vii viii Contents 9 Regenerative Cities ................................................................................. 183 Herbert Girardet 10 Multidimensional Sustainability Assessment for Megacities .............. 205 Stanislav Shmelev 11 The Economics of Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change .................... 237 Terry Barker 12 A Precauctionary Strategy to Avoid Dangerous Climate Change is Affordable: 12 Reasons ......................................................... 265 Jeroen C. J. M. van den Bergh 13 Renewable Energy in the UK: A Slow Transition ................................ 291 David Elliott Part III Ecological Economics of Social Change 14 Social Metabolism and Ecological Distribution Conflicts in India and Latin America ................................................... 311 Joan Martinez-Alier , Leah Temper , Mariana Walter , and Federico Demaria 15 Human Values and Sustainable Development ...................................... 333 Irina A. Shmeleva 16 Building a Sustainable and Desirable Economy-in-Society-in-Nature .............................................................. 367 Robert Costanza , Gar Alperovitz , Herman Daly , Joshua Farley , Carol Franco , Tim Jackson , Ida Kubiszewski , Juliet Schor , and Peter V ictor Index ................................................................................................................. 455 Contributors Gar Alperovitz The Democracy Collaborative and Department of Government and Politics , University of Maryland , College park , MD , USA Robert U. Ayres Economics and Political Science and Technology Management, Management and the Environment, Emeritus , INSEAD , Fontainebleau , France Terry Barker Department of Land Economy , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK School of Environmental Sciences , University of East Anglia , Norwich , UK Martin Bruckner Institute for Ecological Economics , Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) , Vienna , Austria Robert Costanza Crawford School of Public Policy , Australian National University , Canberra , Australia Herman Daly Emeritus, School of Public Policy , University of Maryland , College Park , MD , USA Federico Demaria I CTA, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Autonomous University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain David Elliott The Open University , Milton Keynes , UK Joshua Farley Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, and Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, U niversity of Vermont, B urlington, VT , USA Carol Franco Woods Hole Research Centre , Falmouth , MA , USA Anthony Friend OIKOS , Ottowa , Canada Stefan Giljum Institute for Ecological Economics , Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) , Vienna , Austria ix
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