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Institutions for sustainability—Towards an expanded research program for ecological economics

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  • Vatn, Arild

Abstract

Ecological economists are engaged in developing foundations for a sustainable future. To further develop our ability to deliver, I propose that we expand our analyses by a) drawing more on institutional theory and b) include also political processes in our research. The present political-economic system is unable to ensure sustainable futures. The paper argues that the root of the problem lies in its institutional structures. I illustrate possible changes to these that could take societies onto a sustainable development path. Focus here is on creating institutions able to strengthen the role of the future in decision-making. Here I focus on both political and economic institutions, illustrating how a change in these could ensure sustainability. I also discuss changes in environmental regulation strategies. The analyses of different options are used to illustrate what kind of studies are needed to advance sustainability. They form the basis for specifying directions that ecological economics could take to further support a necessary societal transformation process.

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  • Vatn, Arild, 2020. "Institutions for sustainability—Towards an expanded research program for ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:168:y:2020:i:c:s0921800919306706
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106507
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    2. Farley, Joshua & Costanza, Robert & Flomenhoft, Gary & Kirk, Daniel, 2015. "The Vermont Common Assets Trust: An institution for sustainable, just and efficient resource allocation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 71-79.
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    6. Vatn, Arild, 2005. "Rationality, institutions and environmental policy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(2), pages 203-217, November.
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    9. Sjaastad, Espen & Angelsen, Arild & Vedeld, Pål & Bojö, Jan, 2005. "What is environmental income?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(1), pages 37-46, October.
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    13. Arild Vatn, 2005. "Institutions and the Environment," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2826.
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    1. > Schools of Economic Thought, Epistemology of Economics > Heterodox Approaches > Ecological Economics

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    2. Barra, Cristian & Falcone, Pasquale Marcello, 2024. "Institutional quality and bioeconomy performance in European countries: Unveiling the evidence," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    3. Cristian Barra & Pasquale Marcello Falcone, 2024. "Does institutional quality matter for bioeconomy performance? Insights from Italian regions," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(6), pages 1-31, December.
    4. Waleed Kalf Al-Zoubi, 2024. "How Sustainable is Environmental Economics? A Review of Research Trends and Implications," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(2), pages 319-334, March.
    5. García-García, Pablo & Buendía, Luis & Carpintero, Óscar, 2022. "Welfare regimes as enablers of just energy transitions: Revisiting and testing the hypothesis of synergy for Europe," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    6. Armatas, Christopher A. & Borrie, William T., 2025. "A pragmatist ecological economics - Normative foundations and a framework for actionable knowledge," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    7. Boncinelli, Leonardo & Dallinger, Luzie & Distefano, Tiziano, 2025. "C-frame thinking: Embedding behavioral economics into ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    8. Buchs, Arnaud & Calvo-Mendieta, Iratxe & Petit, Olivier & Roman, Philippe, 2021. "Challenging the ecological economics of water: Social and political perspectives," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    9. Lundgren, Jakob, 2022. "Unity through disunity: Strengths, values, and tensions in the disciplinary discourse of ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    10. Hukkinen, Janne I. & Eronen, Jussi T. & Janasik, Nina & Järvensivu, Paavo & Kaaronen, Roope O., 2022. "Coping with policy errors in an era of chronic socio-environmental crises," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    11. Asghar, Muhammad & Ayaz, Muhammad & Ali, Sharafat, 2025. "Ecological resilience in crisis: Analyzing the role of urban land use and institutional policies," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    12. Gaygysyz Ashyrov & Helen Poltimäe, 2022. "Does Corruption Hinder Firm Energy Efficiency? Evidence From Vietnam," University of Tartu - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Working Paper Series 137, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu (Estonia).
    13. Allain, Sandrine & Salliou, Nicolas, 2022. "Making differences legible: Incommensurability as a vehicle for sustainable landscape management," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).

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