Defining growth dependence
Janischewski, Anja (Chemnitz University of Technology)
Bohnenberger, Katharina (University of Duisburg-Essen)
Kranke, Matthias (University of Duisburg-Essen)
Vogel, Tobias (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)
Driouich, Riwan Josef (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Froese, Tobias (ESCP Business School Berlin Campus)
Gerold, Stefanie (Brandenburgische Technische Universitt)
Kaufmann, Raphael (ZOE Institute for Future-Fit Economies)
Keyßer, Lorenz (University of Lausanne)
Niethammer, Jannis (ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, European Secretariat)
Olk, Christopher (Free University of Berlin)
Schmelzer, Matthias (University of Flensburg)
Yürük, Aslı (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)
Lange, Steffen (University of Siegen)

Date:	2026
Abstract:	Many socio-economic systems require positive economic growth rates to function properly. These growth dependencies pose serious challenges given uncertainty about future growth rates and the role of economic growth as a driver of environmental crises. Thus, identifying and transforming socio-economic systems that currently rely on growth for their adequate functioning is a crucial step towards effective sustainability transformations. To facilitate conceptual clarity, we propose a general definition and framework for operationalizing the concept of "growth dependence" through four elements: (1) the system under investigation, (2) the unit of growth measurement, (3) the meaning of "growth", and (4) the functions or properties of the system relevant for human well-being. We illustrate the impact of varieties in definitions on assessment outcomes by applying the framework to areas widely seen as growth-dependent: labor markets, social insurance and public finance. Our framework helps researchers to develop a more coherent understanding of growth dependence, a prerequisite for assessing policy options towards growth independence.
Grants:	European Commission 101071647
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Degrowth ; Green growth ; Growth dependence ; Growth imperative ; Growth independence ; Post-growth
Published in:	Sustainability science, February 2026, ISSN 1862-4057

DOI: 10.1007/s11625-026-01808-w

17 p, 1.4 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles