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Can degrowth policies move the OECD closer to reaching social thresholds within planetary boundaries?

Þráinsdóttir, Kristborg Sóley LU (2022) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20221
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
As the environmental and social challenges humanity faces are intertwined, a holistic policy approach is needed to bring operations into the ecologically safe and socially just space (SJS). Degrowth has been presented as a means for high-income countries to reach the SJS. In this thesis I use a mixed methods approach of statistical analysis to identify the gaps that OECD countries face when it comes to social and ecological boundaries, and focused literature review to identify degrowth policy proposals that holistically address the identified gaps. The main social shortcomings of the OECD were equality, life satisfaction, employment, and social support. The boundaries of all but one measured environmental indicator was overstepped. I... (More)
As the environmental and social challenges humanity faces are intertwined, a holistic policy approach is needed to bring operations into the ecologically safe and socially just space (SJS). Degrowth has been presented as a means for high-income countries to reach the SJS. In this thesis I use a mixed methods approach of statistical analysis to identify the gaps that OECD countries face when it comes to social and ecological boundaries, and focused literature review to identify degrowth policy proposals that holistically address the identified gaps. The main social shortcomings of the OECD were equality, life satisfaction, employment, and social support. The boundaries of all but one measured environmental indicator was overstepped. I identified 8 degrowth policy proposals that each tackle 4-8 of the lacking areas. My results support other research that indicates that degrowth measures can bring high-income countries closer to the SJS and contributes to knowledge towards sustainability pathways. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Þráinsdóttir, Kristborg Sóley LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
degrowth, safe and just space, social thresholds, planetary boundaries, sustainability science, policy
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2022:040
language
English
id
9084985
date added to LUP
2022-06-09 10:58:36
date last changed
2022-06-09 10:58:36
@misc{9084985,
  abstract     = {{As the environmental and social challenges humanity faces are intertwined, a holistic policy approach is needed to bring operations into the ecologically safe and socially just space (SJS). Degrowth has been presented as a means for high-income countries to reach the SJS. In this thesis I use a mixed methods approach of statistical analysis to identify the gaps that OECD countries face when it comes to social and ecological boundaries, and focused literature review to identify degrowth policy proposals that holistically address the identified gaps. The main social shortcomings of the OECD were equality, life satisfaction, employment, and social support. The boundaries of all but one measured environmental indicator was overstepped. I identified 8 degrowth policy proposals that each tackle 4-8 of the lacking areas. My results support other research that indicates that degrowth measures can bring high-income countries closer to the SJS and contributes to knowledge towards sustainability pathways.}},
  author       = {{Þráinsdóttir, Kristborg Sóley}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Can degrowth policies move the OECD closer to reaching social thresholds within planetary boundaries?}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}