Sustainable growth, do we really have a choice?
Overview
We can define sustainable growth globally as a growth path on which there is no divergence of a central variable. A divergence, i.e. an unlimited rise or fall of an economic, social or environmental variable, can occur for example: if the stock of CO2 emitted does not stabilize, if the demand for scarce raw materials increases without limit, if the efficiency of education or health systems constantly deteriorates, or if public or private debt rates increase perpetually.
Ensuring the global sustainability of a country therefore implies actions on the climate, on the environment, on scarce resources, on the distribution of income and wealth, on technical progress, on the efficiency of public spending. The problems posed by ensuring the overall sustainability of economies are numerous: which instruments should be used (incentives, taxation, regulation)? To succeed, should we change behaviors (more recycling, sobriety, etc.)? Do governments have the means to implement the necessary policies: we need to act on the climate, make education and health systems more efficient and at the same time avoid the unlimited increase in public debt? Should economic policies be prioritized? What is the respective role of States, companies and citizens in ensuring global sustainability?
Speakers
-
Eurogroupe
-
Ministre de l'Economie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté industrielle et numérique, France