Search

The paper explores the complex interplay between economic development and environmental sustainability in the context of India's pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It examines the inherent contradictions and trade-offs involved, particularly in agriculture, industrialisation, and infrastructure sectors. The paper highlights how economic growth, essential for improving living standards, often conflicts with environmental objectives. The paper underscores the importance of integrating economic, environmental, and social objectives to achieve a sustainable and inclusive future for India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Global South river basins, urbanization, population growth and demand for resources linked to economic growth pose multiple challenges, compounded by the crises of climate change. For Global South countries, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are opportunities to combine integrated strategies tackling their environmental sustainability and socioeconomic development issues. This article uses the Mekong River Commission and the development of hydropower by Lao PDR case to investigate the ability of River Basin Organizations to coordinate with Member States for consistent regional and national application of transboundary water cooperation best practices while answering both scales' sustainable development agendas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to provide an alternative framework to the theory of optimum currency areas by mobilizing the concept of sustainability. If the success of a fixed exchange rate regime is, above all, a political choice, economic growth can be considered a minimal economic condition and a good indicator of the success of a fixed exchange rate regime. We conclude that specific institutional settings allow economic growth to occur and can be defined as sustainable. We determine three configurations that share the same conclusion: sustainability happens when states have macroeconomic autonomy, whereas political and fiscal integration are necessary conditions. The first configuration refers to a monetary union with high capital mobility. The second one corresponds to a fixed but adjustable exchange rate regime with low capital mobility, while the third configuration is an application of Keynes' plan with high capital mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This piece provides a reflection on the changing political context for planning ideas and practices over the past thirty years. This period has seen the rise and now serious questioning of a neo-liberal pre-occupation with economic growth which gave little space for shaping futures through a focus on place qualities and co-ordinating the spatial dimensions of action, the core of the spatial planning project. Current concerns with promoting inclusive social well-being, reducing adverse impacts on global climate and the environment, and reviving democratic practices create new opportunities for planning understood as strategic guidance for shaping collective futures. Such a project involves not just expertise as developed in the planning field, but needs to draw on many other knowledge fields. And since many futures may evolve from present instabilities and uncertainties, it needs to adopt an active voice in promoting collective attention to spatial co-ordination and place qualities in ways which advance the values of environmental sustainability, inclusive social well-being and richly democratic modes of policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global political economy is organized around the pursuit of economic growth. Yet scholars of International Political Economy (IPE) have been surprisingly slow to address its wide-ranging implications and, thus, to advance debates about post-growth alternatives. The premise of the article is that for IPE to deepen its grasp of the escalation of contemporary socioecological crises both analytically and normatively, it needs to put the growth question front and center. To problematize the pursuit of economic growth from an IPE perspective, we bring together research on green growth, post-growth/degrowth, sustainability transitions and socioecological transformation. More specifically, we develop an analytical framework that revolves around four pathways of reorganization toward socioecological sustainability: (1) modification, (2) substitution, (3) conversion and (4) prefiguration. We use illustrative examples from the plastics and food sectors to show how the post-growth pathways of conversion and prefiguration could interact to trigger change for sustainability. Notably, our discussion reveals that conversion, which requires a strong state for developing post-growth institutions, is the least traveled pathway in both sectors. This insight points to a strategic priority for post-growth proponents and an urgent research agenda for IPE scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact of economic growth targets on green total factor productivity (GTFP) based on a panel Tobit model and two manual datasets of 30 Chinese provinces from 2002 to 2019. We find that economic growth targets significantly inhibit GTFP, which is more pronounced in provinces that have high incentives when setting targets, use hard constraints when announcing targets, and fulfill their targets. In addition, we find that economic growth targets inhibit GTFP by undermining economic efficiency and aggravating environmental pollution. Moreover, the command-controlled environmental regulations weaken the inhibitory effect on GTFP, while market-motivated environmental regulations aggravate this inhibitory effect. Our findings confirm that the promotion assessment system based on economic performance leads to the irrationality of local governments in establishing economic growth targets, and the local governments pursue economic growth at the cost of development quality and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies suggest that shadow economy has several implications for environmental sustainability. However, the relevance of financial development in the nexus between shadow economy-environmental sustainability remains an open question. This study examines the role of shadow economy and financial development in addition to economic growth, trade openness, and urbanization on the environmental sustainability of a panel of 30 African countries from 1991 to 2017. Specifically, the study investigates the effect of these variables on African countries' ecological footprint and bio-capacity. Findings based on the augmented mean group estimator reveal that shadow economy, financial development, economic growth, and urbanization intensify ecological footprint, while trade openness reduces it. Further investigations reveal that shadow economy, economic growth, and urbanization reduce bio-capacity while trade openness increases it. The interactive term of the shadow economy and financial development shows that a strong financial system significantly moderates the adverse impact of shadow economy on environmental degradation. These results persist when common correlated effect mean group is used to re-estimate the models. Furthermore, Dumitrescu and Hurlin's non-causality tests show two-way causality between ecological footprint and shadow economy, bio-capacity and shadow economy, and financial development. Nevertheless, unidirectional causality is found from financial development to ecological footprint and shadow economy, economic growth to ecological footprint, biocapacity, and financial development. Lastly, the policy implications of the results are discussed in line with these economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A productive economic structure, represented by economic complexity (ECP), augments the economic development of nations. However, previous empirical investigations on this topic are confined to understanding the direct effects of economic complexity on environmental quality with equivocal outcomes. Therefore, this study not only probed the effects of ECP on the ecological footprint (EF) but also explored the indirect environmental effects of ECP through the channel of economic growth. To do so, the study employed the unit-root tests with structural breaks and without structural breaks. Afterward, the newly developed Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (AARDL) method was used on the time series Indian data from 1970 to 2017 in the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology (STIRPAT) framework. The findings disclosed cointegration among the selected variables. Notably, the AARDL test provided a reliable conclusion by using three different tests compared to the conventional ARDL model that relies on just one F-statistics. The long-run empirical results unfolded that ECP not only reduces footprint but also decreases the adverse environmental impacts of economic growth. In addition, energy intensity and economic growth contribute to escalating the EF, and thereby, increase environmental degradation. Nevertheless, population density decreases the footprint, and thus, stimulates ecological sustainability. Besides, ECP Granger causes EF. After this, several diagnostic tests were performed to confirm the stability of the models and the results were verified using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares test. Lastly, the study directed policies to increase the level of sophisticated knowledge-based production for sustainable growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, emerging, developed, and developing economies have placed great emphasis on the need to attain environmental sustainability while achieving economic expansion. In an effort to offer possible policy options toward the attainment of sustainable development, this study examines the effect of economic growth on carbon emissions mitigation. Yearly panel data for 44 countries comprised of emerging, developed, and developing economies from 1990 to 2017 is used. To address the gap in the literature, this nexus is examined on seven layers of carbon emissions. This study reveals reliable and robust empirical findings with the use of system and difference general method of moments, random and fixed effects using the Durbin-Wu-Hausman test model, and feasible general least-squares estimation approaches. Our findings indicate that for developed economies, carbon emissions by the power industry have been mitigated and increased domestic credit to the private sector leads to a decrease in all layers of carbon emissions. Nevertheless, gross national income increase negatively impacts emissions by the transport sector. In emerging and developing economies, increased domestic credit to the private sector increases emissions by the power industry, transport sector, buildings, other combustion industries, and other non-major sectors. For all economies, an increase in domestic savings leads to an increase in all layers of carbon emissions. Compared with prior studies that simply focus on gross domestic product and total carbon emissions, our study provides detailed insights on the carbon emissions mitigation efforts by sector and economic group given the true drivers of economic expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reforms in China began in the late 1970s. In the last four decades, the country has witnessed phenomenal economic growth, making it a world economic power. But environmental and social costs have not been sufficiently mitigated. This appears to be changing. China seeks continued economic growth, reduced environmental degradation and assured social well-being for all. The paper attempts to survey China's efforts in the last two decades to combat environmental degradation while ensuring the momentum of economic and social development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the relationship between globalisation and the environment tends to focus on the direct effect of globalisation, rarely considering the role of institutions. This paper introduces insights from political economy, which suggests that environmental sustainability models would be greatly improved if institutions are considered. We test this hypothesis by estimating the relationship between economic globalisation, bureaucratic quality, and ecological footprint in Ghana for the period 1984–2016. The long-run analysis is based on the autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) bound testing approach to cointegration. The result supports the hypothesis that expansion in economic globalisation has a reducing effect on environmental quality. Bureaucratic quality appears to exert a significant positive effect on ecological footprint. Furthermore, the estimation shows that the quality of institutions is critical for environmental quality. Based on the results the paper presents some policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of design and its contribution to society is heavily emphasised in the literature. Multiple life-cycle products are based on the ideology value retention of components, products, and materials after its use phase, and utilised for the next life cycle. It contributes to economic growth by reducing resource consumption and environmental impact. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic literature review to understand what antecedents are involved in the generation of multiple life cycles. This study analyses 87 papers on the numerous life-cycle products, using designs for sustainability principles (Reuse, Refurbish, Remanufacturing, Recycle). The study highlighted that DfS could contribute to multiple life-cycle generation by enabling the products to be recoverable at the end-of-use or the end-of-life. The analysis identified antecedents being important for the product and related them to the outcome, benefits, and challenges. Managers need to carefully select the appropriate model for the product's design, evaluation of recovery alternatives, and prices of new and remanufactured products keeping in mind return uncertainty, quality, and volume of used products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationships between population growth, energy needs, and environmental sustainability in Africa. To do so, we take Nigeria as an illustrative case and set-up a multivariate framework incorporating total population, electricity demand, per capita income and the amount of CO2 yearly emitted by the power and heating sector over the largest period: 1971–2018. Results confirm the existence of a one-way causality from population to electricity consumption, per capita income, and CO2 emissions without feedback. Besides, a unidirectional link running from electricity consumption to economic growth is depicted, congruent with the electricity-led growth hypothesis. Finally, electricity consumption is found to be a substantial environmental pollution-enabler in Nigeria. The provision of affordable electricity should be balanced by a trend from fossil-fuel supply to sustainable energy resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics shaping 21st century urbanization are particularly visible throughout the American Rust Belt. With the pressures of economic and population growth receding, the local structures and contests shaping land use, development, and revitalization are more visible. In the context of racial segregation and political fragmentation, public entities, community groups and civic networks have generated innovations and interventions aligned with a more equitable and inclusive – albeit low-growth – future. These exemplary policies and practices, which are leading these cities to new futures, also are useful for advancing urban development and for fostering sustainability in the diverse areas that constitute sprawling, stagnating, and depopulating regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the mechanism of how trade openness (TO) affects CO2 emissions via the scale and technique effects in the Asian region over the 1990-2015 period. The results obtained by employing cross-sectional augmented estimators indicate that: (i) trade-induced technology innovation (TI) reduces CO2 emissions; (ii) trade-facilitated economic growth results in higher CO2 emissions; (iii) the positive scale effect outweighs the negative technique effects. Furthermore, TO also produces a rebound effect of TI on emissions for Southern and Western Asia. The Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test reveals that TO Granger causes economic growth and TI, which in turn cause CO2 emissions. Besides, quadridirectional causality is observed between TO, TI, energy consumption and emissions, suggesting that these variables are mutually reinforcing. The findings suggest that the goals of environmental sustainability can be attained if the pace of national output growth is accompanied by environmental regulations and clean technology improvements when framing comprehensive trade policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the mechanism of how trade openness (TO) affects CO2 emissions via the scale and technique effects in the Asian region over the 1990–2015 period. The results obtained by employing cross-sectional augmented estimators indicate that: (i) trade-induced technology innovation (TI) reduces CO2 emissions; (ii) trade-facilitated economic growth results in higher CO2 emissions; (iii) the positive scale effect outweighs the negative technique effects. Furthermore, TO also produces a rebound effect of TI on emissions for Southern and Western Asia. The Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality test reveals that TO Granger causes economic growth and TI, which in turn cause CO2 emissions. Besides, quadri-directional causality is observed between TO, TI, energy consumption and emissions, suggesting that these variables are mutually reinforcing. The findings suggest that the goals of environmental sustainability can be attained if the pace of national output growth is accompanied by environmental regulations and clean technology improvements when framing comprehensive trade policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's textile industry is among the largest in the world and contributes significantly to India's GDP and economic growth. As the second largest total exporter globally after China with more than 45 million workers, India's textile industry has long been the subject of criticism concerning labour exploitation and environmental damage. Since 2016, nevertheless, Narendra Modi's government has started to take a different yet somewhat perplexing approach to introducing and environmentally friendlier and more sustainable direction in its textile industry. This article aims to comprehend the reasons behind India's new policy arguing that—despite such changes—environmental sustainability has not become India's full concern in the textile sector at the moment. Such a shift was part of India's international market expansion strategy towards the European Union market which had imposed non—tariff import restrictions on India's textile products. This article also shows contradictions and tensions in the government's eco—friendly textile policy concerning its high production costs and India's yet dependence on conventional production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial planning has gone through significant shifts in recent years. Planners today face land use challenges, such as sprawl reduction and mixed use redevelopment, which must be reconciled with technological innovations and changing political and economic pressures. At the same time, their end goal is not just to support economic growth, but also to improve people's health and social well-being in a place-based framework. Keeping in mind the debate on equity, participation and the achievement of sustainable well-being for all, this paper looks at these issues from both a theoretical point of view, as well as their practical implementation. It critically examines some aspects of spatial planning and territorial governance from Sweden and Switzerland, discussing their flaws and contradictions, as well as pointing out positive features. Overall, the paper suggests that current spatial planning philosophy should privilege an integrated holistic approach, avoiding policies that, in the name of increased speed and efficiency, might lead to partiality, randomness and fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lebanon's high debt-to-GDP ratio and persistent overall budget deficit expose the entire financial system to vulnerability. Unless the country generates enough revenue to meet its gross financing needs, the prospect of borrowing more remains strong. Given the complexity of the Lebanese economy and debt structure, the formulation of fiscal and monetary policy is difficult and costly. Hence, policymakers are continuously confronted with difficult choices and must select the choice that is the least destructive. The choice between short-term economic stability and medium-term fiscal sustainability is a clear example of the dilemmas that confront policymakers. In addition, procyclicality and its repercussions on economic growth and the lack of responses to fiscal needs are matters of significant importance for public debt and fiscal sustainability. Hence, this study provides an in-depth analysis of the difficulties facing the Lebanese economy as it tries to sustain its public debt and the overall fiscal deficit. The study calculates the cyclically adjusted balance to analyze the appropriateness of fiscal policy and to assess the role of the automatic stabilizers. Additionally, the study employs a multivariate vector autoregression to forecast the variables in the simple debt model and to identify the impulses needed from various endogenous shocks. The derived results demonstrate that fiscal policy is predominately procyclical, that policymakers risked short-term economic stability for the sake of medium-term fiscal sustainability, and that unless the government adjusts its fiscal behavior, triggers automatic stabilizers, and negotiates a better deal with resident lenders, the economy will further deteriorate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Big Push for Sustainability centers investments that lead to decoupling, on the one hand, economic growth and job creation - necessary to raise living standards and reduce inequalities - and, on the other hand, greenhouse gas emissions. In sum, the Big Push for Sustainability can be defined as a set of complementary sustainable investments thatproduce avirtuous cycle of economic growth, job creation, development of production chains, and reduction of environmental impacts, while recovering the productive capacity of natural capital - all together and at the same time. Like the Big Push for Sustainability, these reports also propose Keynesian elements, such as green stimulus packages for sustainable investments, which can simultaneously boost the economy and protect the environment. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses managing marine resources in a sustainable way. According to the authors, there is increasing demand for ocean resources as a result of population growth and economic expansion which has led to collapsed fisheries, the degradation of marine and coastal habitats, and an influx of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the ocean from fossil fuel combustion. The focus of the article is an examination of sustainable approaches for marine fisheries management and the role of nutrient pollution, from human activities, on the health and productivity of the ocean.