Coordinated reforms can transform Sweden and create well-being beyond growth

A study by Centre programme Fairtrans shows that the answer may lie in coordinated reforms that combine reduced production with greater redistribution.

In the study, published in Ecological Economics, Centre researchers Karel Zwetsloot, David Collste, Thomas Hahn and colleagues from the programme Fairtrans investigate how a society can function without making growth its overriding goal. They do this by using an established simulation model that has been applied to more than 40 countries.

Among other things, the researchers analyse shorter working hours, a basic income, progressive taxation and a gradual scaling back of production with a high environmental impact. The results show that individual measures often lead to trade-offs. By contrast, environmental impact, poverty, inequality and unemployment all decrease when the reforms are implemented together.

The study therefore suggests that transitioning to a more sustainable society is not primarily about individual policy instruments, but rather about how different policy areas interact. The authors conclude that policy coherence is essential for a just and sustainable transition.

Read the full article "Modelling degrowth policies with system dynamics: Towards policy coherence" »