Degrowth is a planned reduction in consumption and production, especially in high-income countries, intended to reduce environmental pressures while maintaining or improving human well-being. Ecological economists support it because they view the economy as a subsystem of the finite biosphere; therefore, unlimited material growth cannot continue indefinitely.
Why Ecological Economists Support Degrowth
Conventional policy often treats growth in gross domestic product (GDP) as prosperity. However, GDP measures the market value of goods and services; it does not fully account for inequality, well-being, resource depletion or environmental damage.
Economic activity requires energy and natural-resource inputs and generates waste. Expanding these flows can deplete natural capital, cross planetary boundaries and weaken system resilience. Degrowth therefore prioritizes sufficiency, redistribution and lower material throughput rather than GDP growth alone.
| Reason | Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Finite ecological limits | Lower material and energy use can reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. |
| Human well-being | Strong public services, shorter working weeks and redistribution may improve quality of life without continuous GDP growth. |
| Environmental justice | High-income societies have disproportionately large footprints; reduced consumption can leave ecological space for lower-income societies to meet essential needs. |
A common misconception is that degrowth means an uncontrolled recession. A recession is an unplanned contraction that often causes unemployment and hardship; degrowth is deliberate restructuring around equity, sufficiency and ecological stability.
The doughnut economics model similarly aims to meet a social foundation without exceeding an ecological ceiling. Amsterdam has used the framework in urban planning, although this is better described as post-growth than as a complete degrowth programme.
Exam Technique
This is HL-only content in HL.b Environmental economics. For an explain question, link finite biospheric limits to reduced consumption. For an evaluate question, balance environmental and justice benefits against unemployment, reduced tax revenue and political resistance, then give a supported conclusion.
