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Reconciling sustainability and growth: criteria, indicators, policies

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  • Joachim H. Spangenberg

    (Sustainable Europe Research Institute, Germany)

Abstract

Sustainable development is based on the integration of four dimensions: the economic, the environmental, the social and the institutional. For the economic dimension in particular, growth has been considered an essential element of sustainable development. This paper discusses the relationship of social, environmental and institutional sustainability objectives to economic growth and derives social and environmental criteria for growth to be sustainable. One of the most sophisticated sustainability studies developed for Germany is introduced, demonstrating the need and the possibility to reconcile economic, social, environmental and institutional objectives. Integrated politics taking into account all four dimensions when drafting policy plans are a necessary precondition for this behalf. Based on two sustainability scenarios with a different emphasis (growth, integration) five core action zones for policy making are identified. The criteria derived can be used as yardsticks assessing policy proposals at an early stage regarding their impact on key sustainability objectives. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Joachim H. Spangenberg, 2004. "Reconciling sustainability and growth: criteria, indicators, policies," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 12(2), pages 74-86.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:12:y:2004:i:2:p:74-86
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.229
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    19. Mustika, Putu Liza Kusuma & Birtles, Alastair & Welters, Riccardo & Marsh, Helene, 2012. "The economic influence of community-based dolphin watching on a local economy in a developing country: Implications for conservation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 11-20.
    20. Angelo Belliggiano & Eugenio Cejudo Garcia & Marilena Labianca & Francisco Navarro Valverde & Stefano De Rubertis, 2020. "The “Eco-Effectiveness” of Agritourism Dynamics in Italy and Spain: A Tool for Evaluating Regional Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-25, August.
    21. Jari Lyytimäki & Ulla Rosenström, 2008. "Skeletons out of the closet: effectiveness of conceptual frameworks for communicating sustainable development indicators," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 16(5), pages 301-313.
    22. Olawumi Dele Awolusi, 2021. "Economic Growth and Socioeconomic Sustainability in BRICS Countries: A Vector Error Correction Modeling Approach," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 13(3), pages 1-23.
    23. Carolina Feliciana Machado & J. Paulo Davim, 2023. "Sustainability in the Modernization of Higher Education: Curricular Transformation and Sustainable Campus—A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-28, May.
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