Decoupling economic growth from resource consumption

摘要: Current patterns of production and consumption, in particular in the global North, cannot be transferred to the rising world population, in particular in the global South, without severe environmental and societal consequences. The global middle class is expected to double by 2030 and might scale up unsustainable consumption and production patterns; yet scientific modelling demonstrates that already today levels of resource use exceed what is considered sustainable; at least 3 of 9 identified “planetary boundaries” have been overshot and others are dangerously close to scientifically “safe” thresholds. Increased fluctuations of commodity prices and rising price trends since 2000 (eg for food, metals, energy) indicate possible shortages of strategic important natural resources in the near future.These ecological challenges bring economic risks that quite clearly indicate: Business as usual is no longer an option. On the other hand the global scarcity of natural resources could incentivize a more “resource light” type of technological progress if embedded into supporting framework conditions and social innovations. Thus a “Great Global Transformation” is needed, especially in the global North, but in the global South as well, which decouples the use of nature from economic activity. This policy paper argues that innovative governance can turn the ecological necessity of decoupling into economic opportunities. From a country and development specific perspective it is necessary to differentiate: