The contradiction of the sustainable development goals: Growth versus ecology on a finite planet

Background

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015, promote a holistic vision of development that recognizes the interconnectedness of poverty, underdevelopment, and environmental concerns. Comprising 17 goals and 169 specific targets, the SDGs reflect a shift in development theory, emphasizing that human flourishing depends on addressing ecological degradation. However, the framework reveals a fundamental contradiction. Goals 6, 12, 13, 14, and 15 advocate for environmental protection and “harmony with nature,” while Goal 8 emphasizes the pursuit of continued global economic growth.

Goals and Methods

This study examines whether it is feasible to achieve both the economic growth required by Goal 8, which demands a global GDP growth of 3% per year, and the sustainability objectives outlined in Goals 6, 12, 13, 14, and 15. It focuses on two key ecological indicators: resource use, measured by the material footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2 emissions. The analysis evaluates decoupling trends by exploring the relationship between economic growth (GDP) and environmental pressures (material footprint and emissions) using data and models from diverse sources.

Conclusions and Takeaways

The study’s analysis highlights a stark conflict between the economic growth goal (Goal 8) and the sustainability objectives of the SDGs. The findings indicate that achieving absolute decoupling of GDP from material footprint and CO2 emissions at the rates needed to meet sustainability targets is highly improbable, even with optimistic assumptions about technological advancements and policy interventions. Future research and practitioners must investigate alternative development models and indicators that prioritize human well-being and ecological sustainability over continuous GDP growth. They should focus on policies that reduce material throughput and energy demand, enhance resource efficiency, and support a just transition to a low-carbon economy, even if such measures result in slower or stagnant GDP growth.