Can economic growth be green?

The pursuit of economic growth is a primary goal of most governments today.

But in Week 1, you also learnt that economic growth is the main driver of emissions globally. That’s an empirical fact. However, whether tackling the climate crisis can align with continued economic growth, especially in high-emitting countries, remains a hotly debated topic.

In this video, course author and climate researcher Dr Jefim Vogel, unpacks this crucial issue, explores the evidence and discusses alternative perspectives.

Have your say

Thinking about your own context, consider your responses to the following questions:

• In your view, is continued economic growth in your country compatible with addressing the climate crisis fairly?
• Is further growth necessary for social wellbeing? Should your country pursue further economic growth, or move beyond growth?
• What could change in consumption and production? Who in society (in your context or globally) might need to reduce their consumption, and who may need more access to essential goods?

You might also consider what the insights from the video imply for the parts of the opinion piece that claim that economic growth can be ‘green’. Share and discuss your responses with other learners in the Comments section.