No collapswashing

Global energy and materials are essential to the functioning of the economy and have significant implications for macroeconomics and the environment. At the same time, the world is not on track to meet Paris Agreement goals. This paper documents two stylized facts that connect these observations. First, the world economy is characterized by large embedded emissions and materials: different energies and materials are deeply entwined and interdependent. This has historically led to additive – rather than substitution – dynamics in energy and materials on a global scale. Second, historically there has been a strong positive correlation between efficiency in resource use and total resource use at a global scale. We synthesize these observations by introducing the Generalized Jevons Paradox (GJP). We argue that the GJP reflects the direct and indirect energy/material demand effects of long-term energy and material interdependencies, themselves shaped by market and geoeconomic power, trade arrangements, and financi

Weather cycle threatens harvests worldwide, adding to inflation already fuelled by the Iran war

For most of the modern era, capitalism justified itself through growth. Industrial societies converted vast amounts of fossil energy into production, wealth, and rising living standards. Roads, bridges, power grids, schools, and public institutions expanded alongside the economy. Inequality and exploitation remained deeply embedded in the system, but they were partly obscured by a broader story of material progress.

La mondialisation désigne l’interconnexion croissante des économies et des populations qui se manifeste par l’accroissement des échanges de biens et de services, ainsi que des flux de capitaux et d’information et les migrations humaines. Si les historiens et les économistes ont identifié plusieurs périodes d’intensification importante des échanges entre les sociétés humaines (voir encadré ci-dessous), le phénomène a aujourd’hui atteint une ampleur inégalée. La période qui s’étend du lendemain de la Seconde Guerre mondiale à nos jours est marquée par un approfondissement continu de la mondialisation d’abord dans sa dimension commerciale, puis dans sa dimension financière. Elle se caractérise également par l’expansion sans précédent des chaînes de valeur mondiales dominée par les multinationales. Elle est portée par un discours sur la supériorité du libre échange, censé apporter paix et prospérité au plus grand nombre. Si la promesse a été en partie tenue, avec en particulier la sortie de près d’un milliards de

Investment firms have put over $100 million into developing risky technologies that could cool the planet with unknown side effects.

Olivier De Schutter says new economic agenda needed to tackle crises of rising inequality and ecological collapse

The new joint policy brief offers a deep dive into the ways in which the social and solidarity economy can advance the objectives of the Roadmap by supporting the eradication of poverty beyond growth.

Le climat a -et aura de plus en plus- des impacts bien réels pour les habitants partout sur le territoire français. Si agir au niveau global est essentiel, les enjeux climatiques doivent aussi impérativement être pensés et faire l’objet d’initiatives au niveau local. En fins connaisseurs de leurs territoires, les maires sont des acteurs incontournables de l’adaptation et – faut-il le rappeler – de l’accompagnement à la transition énergétique et écologique.

Doyne Farmer says a super-simulator of the global economy would accelerate the transition to a green, clean world

States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points

EU officials warn climate breakdown and wildlife loss ‘are ruining ecosystems that underpin the economy’ […] The European way of life is being jeopardised by environmental degradation, a report has found, with EU officials warning against weakening green rules. The continent has made “important progress” in cutting planet-heating pollution, according to the European Environment Agency, but the death of wildlife and breakdown of the climate are ruining ecosystems that underpin the economy.

Indispensables à la transition écologique, le passage à l’échelle des énergies renouvelables nécessite de réduire le coût du financement des investissements initiaux, particulièrement importants.

Qui dit PIB, dit consommation d’énergie : transport, construction, usines, etc. L'Union européenne importe massivement du pétrole, du gaz fossile, du charbon, de l’uranium et des panneaux photovoltaïques de pays plus ou moins fiables. Cette dépendance rend notre économie vulnérable.

The Other Economy - Ressources bibliographiques et documentaires sur les enjeux économiques et écologiques

Identifying the socio-economic drivers behind greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to design mitigation policies. Existing studies predominantly analyze short-term CO2 emissions from fossil fuels, neglecting long-term trends and other GHGs. We examine the drivers of all greenhouse gas emissions between 1820–2050 globally and regionally. The Industrial Revolution triggered sustained emission growth worldwide—initially through fossil fuel use in industrialized economies but also as a result of agricultural expansion and deforestation. Globally, technological innovation and energy mix changes prevented 31 (17–42) Gt CO2e emissions over two centuries. Yet these gains were dwarfed by 81 (64–97) Gt CO2e resulting from economic expansion, with regional drivers diverging sharply: population growth dominated in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, while rising affluence was the main driver of emissions elsewhere. Meeting climate targets now requires the carbon intensity of GDP to decline 3 times faster than the global

The European Commission said Friday it intends to scrap new rules against greenwashing after they hit a roadblock in the final stretch from conservative lawmakers calling them too onerous for businesses.

This brief introduces degrowth – intentional downscaling of the global economy to achieve ecological sustainability and social justice – for people working in environmental and social advocacy. It centers the question: “Has the economy outgrown the planet?” because global ecological limits have reshaped the conditions under which we pursue climate action, environmental justice, and many other pressing aims.

Critical minerals, which are essential for a range of energy technologies and for the broader economy, have become a major focus in global policy and trade discussions. Price volatility, supply chain bottlenecks and geopolitical concerns make the regular monitoring of their supply and demand extremely vital.

Indispensables à la transition écologique, le passage à l’échelle des énergies renouvelables nécessite de réduire le coût du financement des investissements initiaux, particulièrement importants.

For years, climate scientists have warned us of rising temperatures, extreme weather, and ecological breakdown. Now, the very people who calculate financial risk—actuaries—are sounding the alarm. Their latest report projects a 50% collapse in global GDP within decades. That’s not a recession. That’s economic devastation on a scale we’ve never seen.