Highlights We present a review of a selection of peer-reviewed degrowth articles. We identify inconsistencies between the degrowth discourse and proposals for action. Identified degrowth proposals are mainly national top-down approaches not local bottom-up ones. Proposals aim for sustainable scale and fair distribution over efficient allocation. Proposals should be analysed in combination to arrive at a degrowth policy mix. ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPTand analysing a set of proposals for action retrieved from a selection of articles. total of 128 peerreviewed articles focused on degrowth were reviewed, and 54 that include proposals for action were analysed. The proposals identified align with three broad goals: (1) Reduce the environmental impact of human activities; (2) Redistribute income and wealth both within and between countries; and (3) Promote the transition from a materialistic to a convivial and participatory society. The findings indicate that the majority of degrowth proposals are national top-down approaches, focusing on government as a major driver of change, rather than local bottom-up approaches, as advocated by many degrowth proponents. The most emphasised aspects in the degrowth literature are related to social equity, closely followed by environmental sustainability. Topics such as population growth and the implications of degrowth for developing nations are largely neglected, and represent an important area for future research. Moreover, there is a need for a deeper analysis of how degrowth proposals would act in combination.

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