The document discusses the concept of decoupling and the relationship between resource use and economic growth. It defines relative decoupling as resource use increasing at a slower rate than economic growth, while absolute decoupling means resource use declines over time as the economy grows. The document argues that to keep economic activity within ecological limits, absolute decoupling must be achieved, but there is little evidence this has occurred as efficiency gains have not outpaced overall resource use growth.

1. The Myth of Decoupling

2. Decoupling compares resource use to
economic growth.
• Relative decoupling means resource use may increase, however, at
a slower rate than economic growth.
• Absolute decoupling is achieved when resource use declines over
time while the economy grows.
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3. To keep economic activity within
ecological limits, we must achieve
absolute decoupling.
• There is some limited evidence of relative decoupling occurring
thanks to efficiency gains over the last three decades.
– This means that economic growth has outpaced efficiency
improvements, and there has been growth in resource use overall.
• There is little to no evidence of absolute decoupling.
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