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Diffusing degrowth in Australia: Strategies, barriers and future pathways. A case study of the New Economy Network Australia and Degrowth Network Australia

Biltoft, Lucinda Jane LU and Schäfter, Marie Kristin LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
The pursuit of economic growth is driving multiple global crises, including climate change, ecologicalcollapse, and rising inequality. As a high-income nation, Australia contributes to these problems, whilealso experiencing their impacts. Degrowth offers a radical alternative, yet remains marginalised in politicaland public debates. This thesis investigates the degrowth movement in Australia through a multi-casestudy of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and Degrowth Network Australia (DNA). It draws ona conceptual framework for strategic planning, utilising multiple methods including a systematic literaturereview, qualitative content analysis, and stakeholder interviews. The findings highlight the use of threekey strategies -... (More)
The pursuit of economic growth is driving multiple global crises, including climate change, ecologicalcollapse, and rising inequality. As a high-income nation, Australia contributes to these problems, whilealso experiencing their impacts. Degrowth offers a radical alternative, yet remains marginalised in politicaland public debates. This thesis investigates the degrowth movement in Australia through a multi-casestudy of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and Degrowth Network Australia (DNA). It draws ona conceptual framework for strategic planning, utilising multiple methods including a systematic literaturereview, qualitative content analysis, and stakeholder interviews. The findings highlight the use of threekey strategies - prefiguration, popularisation, and pressure, and identify barriers including institutionalresistance, misconceptions, and lack of resources. Despite a current lack of political will for degrowth inAustralia, intense crisis may make degrowth politically inevitable. Therefore, grassroots organisationssuch as NENA and DNA provide the foundations for a post-growth future. (Less)
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author
Biltoft, Lucinda Jane LU and Schäfter, Marie Kristin LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Degrowth, Australia, Sufficiency, Mainstreaming, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:027
language
English
id
9195971
date added to LUP
2025-06-12 15:23:13
date last changed
2025-06-18 09:02:54
@misc{9195971,
  abstract     = {{The pursuit of economic growth is driving multiple global crises, including climate change, ecologicalcollapse, and rising inequality. As a high-income nation, Australia contributes to these problems, whilealso experiencing their impacts. Degrowth offers a radical alternative, yet remains marginalised in politicaland public debates. This thesis investigates the degrowth movement in Australia through a multi-casestudy of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and Degrowth Network Australia (DNA). It draws ona conceptual framework for strategic planning, utilising multiple methods including a systematic literaturereview, qualitative content analysis, and stakeholder interviews. The findings highlight the use of threekey strategies - prefiguration, popularisation, and pressure, and identify barriers including institutionalresistance, misconceptions, and lack of resources. Despite a current lack of political will for degrowth inAustralia, intense crisis may make degrowth politically inevitable. Therefore, grassroots organisationssuch as NENA and DNA provide the foundations for a post-growth future.}},
  author       = {{Biltoft, Lucinda Jane and Schäfter, Marie Kristin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Diffusing degrowth in Australia: Strategies, barriers and future pathways. A case study of the New Economy Network Australia and Degrowth Network Australia}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}