Den økonomiske vækst og miljøet – nogle centrale forskningsresultater i det 21. århundrede

The paper surveys the main theoretical research and empirical findings from the last decade about the connection between economic growth and the environment. These relate to whether continued economic growth is feasible and how it may be achieved, given environmental constraints due either to resource scarcity or waste accumulation. Recent research has clarified a number of issues, but also pointed out new research questions, e.g. the so-called Green Paradox, which highlights the danger that some climate policies may actually aggravate the greenhouse problem. One of the key issues in this area of research is still the assumptions made related to the substitution possibilities between man-made and natural (renewable or non-renewable) capital. At least unitary elasticities of substitution are necessary conditions for sustainable growth in the long run. Empirical research offers little help settling this issue because of mixed evidence and methodological problems. The paper also discusses issues related to economic growth, climate change and population growth.