1. Second international conference on Economic Degrowth for Sustainability and Equity
Plenary session, Barcelona, 26 March 2010, www.degrowth.eu
Introduction Degrowth
François Schneider
Research & Degrowth
ICTA, UAB
Francois@degrowth.net
WWW.DEGROWTH.NET

2. We are living in times when
humans are meeting the limits of
industrial development

4. What is degrowth?
An “equitable downscaling of production and
consumption that increases human well-being
and enhances ecological conditions at the local
and global level, in the short and long term”.
Cleaner Production 18 (2010) 511–51
Degrowth is not a goal in itself

5. Multiple strategies of degrowth
Degrowth is supported by a movement which
involves a range of strategies, which includes
oppositions & “dissensus”
voluntary simplicity and frugal innovations
theorisation & Divulgation in science and arts
struggles and political actions for the change of
some institutions
struggles and political actions to conserve some
institutions.

6. Convergence of strategies
3- A-growth: Research &
Divulgation
2- Alter-growth 4- De-growth
Voluntary Simplicity Redistribution
Cultural Change
1- Anti-growth
Civil Desobedience
5- No-growth
Sustainable
society

7. Multiple concerns of degrowth
Degrowth is a voluntary reduction of the
economic system for reasons of :
1- resource constraints
2- well-being
3- equality
4- ecosystems sustainability
5- cultural diversity
6- democracy

8. 1- resource constraints
Forecast of energetic
growth in the world
International Energy Agency 2001
18000
16000
14000
Renewables
12000
Mtons oil eq
Hydraulic
10000 Nuclear
8000 Gas
Oil
6000
Coal
4000
2000
0
1971 2000 2010 2030

9. “forecast” of energetic degrowth
in the world
18000
16000
14000
Renewables
12000
Mtons oil eq
Hydraulic
10000 Nuclear
8000 Gas
Oil
6000
Coal
4000
2000
0
1971 2000 2010 2030

10. 2- well-being
For the meaning of life

11. 3- equality
20% of humanity
(Industrialised countries)
contribute to 86% of world spendings
possess 87% of the cars of the world (...)

12. There are more than 500 000 000
cars in the world

13. With the generalisation of the rate of
motorization in the world, we would have
6 times more cars in 50 years
(3 billions cars)

14. 4- ecosystems
sustainability
www.ladecroissance.net/

16. For human relations
& Conviviality
5- cultural diversity

17. March for degrowth - 2005

19. 6- democracy
For a deepening of
democracy

20. CASSEURS DE PUB

21. Extract from the postcard to the
ministry in 2001
“with a degrowth of 4% for 30 years
we could avoid climate catatrophe ,
final exhaustion of natural resources
and save our economy while in the
same time save humanity and nature
even if you consider this secondary”

22. Sustainable Development
Economic
Economy
Social
Environmental

23. Sustainable Degrowth
Economy
Social
Environmental

24. Economic
Sustainable
Development
Environment Social
Sustainable Degrowth
Environment Economic Social