This Foresight brief Hacking Economics for People and Planet will focus on that particular ‘scientific’ field, that is seemingly immune to the oft-spoken mantras promoting change, innovation and new critical thinking in all other fields. This is not to conclude that the economic sciences are not imbued with inspirational people, innovators and critical thinkers; they are. However, the dogma that permeates the dominant conventional discourse, and the power dynamics that prevent informed discussion, is holding the discipline back. This is also preventing national and global purpose from evolving away from a growth-first addiction towards one that actually serves all people without risking the health of our shared and finite planet.
‘Green economy’ and ‘green growth’ policymaking is moving to the centre of many national development strategies.
This paper is primarily a critical analysis of the social sustainability assumptions of green growth.