‘Green growth’ is a risk-laden economic goal

A chara, – The article “Irish economy powering ahead, and with it greenhouse gas emissions” (Environment, June 1st) asserts that “The ideal scenario is “green growth” while reducing emissions . . . across the economy”. Yet, as was pointed out recently – and repeatedly – by speakers at the European Parliament’s Beyond Growth conference, aggregate “green growth’” is a highly questionable and risk-laden economic goal. Claims that “most EU countries are reducing their carbon footprint in a sustained pattern with a green transitioning of their economies” can be easily debunked when historic trends and other types of dangerous environmental damage, such as biodiversity loss, are factored in. International research indicates that once a modest standard of living has been attained, the correlation between GDP growth and overall societal wellbeing breaks down.

You would do well to refrain from making unreflective assumptions concerning which future scenario is ideal, and instead follow the advice of the European Environment Agency: “rethink what is meant by growth and progress and their meaning for global sustainability”. – Yours, etc,

CAROLINE WHYTE,

Feasta, the Foundation