Evidence of Absolute Decoupling from Real World Policy Mixes in Europe

Abstract

Abstract:In resource economics, decoupling from environmental impacts is assumed to be beneficial. However, the success of efforts to increase resource productivity should be placed within the context of the earth's resources and ecosystems as theoretically finite and contingent on a number of threshold values. Thus far relatively few analyses exist of policies which have successfully implemented strategies for decoupling within these limits. Through ex-post evaluation of a number of real world policy mixes from European Union member states, this paper further develops definitions of the concept of decoupling. Beyond absolute (and relative) decoupling, "absolute decoupling within limits" is proposed as an appropriate term for defining resource-productivity at any scale which respects the existing real world limits on resources and ecosystems and as such, contributes to meeting sustainability objectives. Policy mixes presented here cover a range of resources such as fish stocks, fertilizers, aggregates and fossil based materials (plastics). Policy mixes demonstrating absolute decoupling and at least one where absolute decoupling within limits has occurred, provide insights on developing resource efficiency policies in Europe and beyond.

The institutional dimension of resource efficiency in a multi-level governance system—Implications for policy mix design

“…To complement, this paper also draws on a study that explored some 'real world policy mixes' [54,55].…”

“…The paper is based on (parts) of empirical surveys of 32 European countries observing the development of the institutional settings for the implementation of resource efficiency policies and policy mixes [15,16]. It further draws on qualitative studies investigating the status-quo of policy mixes [48,54,55]. The paper is structured as follows: Chapter 2 reflects on the analytical framework for policy mixes (rationale, essential characteristics, coordination challenges), and chapter 3 provides empirical results from the institutional and policy context in the field of resource efficiency and example countries (current policy status, mechanisms for stakeholder inclusion, multi-level issues).…”

“…Some of them show indeed impressing results: United Kingdom with its policy mix to reduce the use of aggregates, Japan's policy mix for domestic material use reduction as an example for a multi-sectoral approach and Sweden and Denmark for fossil fuels measures as examples for sectoral approaches and relative decoupling results. Further, absolute decoupling results between the use of specific resources and the economic development have been observed for Iceland (fish), Finland (forests), Portugal (industrial energy efficiency), Denmark (use of fertilisers), and Ireland (plastic bags) [54,55].…”

In search of healthy policy ecologies for education in relation to sustainability: Beyond evidence-based policy and post-truth politics

“…This approach has involved a move away from older-style subjectivist values towards environmental protection and towards more objectivist and ‘evidence-based’ traditions of sustainable development and ecological modernisation. Significantly, and as a part of this objectivist approach, the idea of evidence is necessarily filtered through the (typically undisclosed) value-laden neo-liberal assumption that economic growth is non-negotiable and that technological fixes will ‘somehow’ decouple economic activity from current and future environmental damage (Fedrigo-Fazio et al, 2016; Jackson, 2016; Stratford, 2019; Victor, 2008).…”

The decoupling estimation effect as an indicator of the efficient use of natural capital in the agrifood in the southern geographical area of the Russian Federation

“…There is a situation where the economic indicators`growth exceeds the parameters of an increase in the consumption of natural resource capital. Then, there is an absolute decrease in consuming the natural resources for economic purposes even in conditions of growth in the production parameters [4].…”