As political leaders gather for a second conference at the European Parliament on
how to move “beyond growth”, a group of civil society groups and academics sent a letter to EU leaders calling on them to see the geopolitical crisis as an opportunity to disengage from the socially and ecologically harmful growth competition and instead embrace a
wellbeing cooperation.
The letter underscores four key principles for “beyond growth” policies:
- Biocapacity: fossil fuel phase-outs, limits to raw material extraction and nature protection and restoration measures for healthy and resilient soils, forests, marine and other ecosystems. E.g., a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a Resource Justice and Resilience Act including a binding material footprint reduction target and real, area-based nature restoration.
- Fairness: fiscal instruments to foster a more equal society by eradicating income and wealth extremes, as well as super-profits. E.g., a carbon wealth tax, both minimum and maximum incomes.
- Wellbeing for all: secured access to essential infrastructures via an improved, ecologically-sensitive welfare state. E.g., Universal Basic Services (including the human rights to health, transport, care, housing, education and social protection etc.), job guarantees, price controls for essential goods and services.
- Active democracy: citizen assemblies with mandates to formulate socially acceptable sufficiency strategies and strengthen policies based on ecological limits, fairness and wellbeing for all and a stronger role for trade unions. E.g., local needs forum, climate conventions, participatory budgeting.
The letter was co-authored by Kate Raworth and signed by over 400 civil society groups and experts, including Robert Costanza, Federico Demaria, Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Giorgos Kallis, Tim Jackson.
