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Barriers and opportunities in developing and implementing a Green GDP

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  • Hoff, Jens V.
  • Rasmussen, Martin M.B.
  • Sørensen, Peter Birch

Abstract

This article analyses why Green National Accounting based on the SEEA system and/or a “Green GDP” have not been seriously integrated in policy making processes, despite the long-standing public concern that economic growth may harm the environment.. Combining a historical institutionalist and a public policy-oriented theoretical approach rooted in Political Science in order to understand this puzzle, we analyse the case of Denmark; a country widely seen as a green front-runner, and therefore a likely candidate for implementing Green National Accounting/a Green GDP in political-administrative decision-making. We identify several barriers that make a transition towards a Green GDP very difficult. However, with the change of government in 2019 a window of opportunity opened, and Denmark now seems to be on its way to introduce green economic models based on green national accounts, and eventually a Green GDP in policy-making; albeit incrementally and in a way that fits existing administrative procedures and existing economic models.

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  • Hoff, Jens V. & Rasmussen, Martin M.B. & Sørensen, Peter Birch, 2021. "Barriers and opportunities in developing and implementing a Green GDP," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:181:y:2021:i:c:s0921800920321960
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106905
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