A biophysically anchored production function |
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Authors: | Stefan Hellstrand Kristian Skånberg Lars Drake |
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Institution: | 1.School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology,M?lardalen University,Kil,Sweden;2.Department of Forest Economics,Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,Uppsala,Sweden;3.Swedish Chemical Agency,Sundbyberg,Sweden |
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Abstract: | The first part presents a conceptual model of the economic system in its ecological and social context. It is developed via
an integration of basic concepts in physical resource theory, animal and human physiology, economic theory and systems ecology.
The capacity of the model to support analysis of such complex systems where life is a key system characteristic is high. The
conceptual model shows the dependency of the human economy on support by non-renewable and renewable resources from Nature
(i.e. ecological source restrictions), as well as the capacity of ecosystems to assimilate wastes (ecological sink restrictions).
The analysis focuses general principles; thus, the high level of abstraction results in an apparent simplicity. In the second
part, we integrate traditional economic production functions and the conceptual model, which results in the formulation of
a biophysically anchored production function (BAPF). The BAPF by itself, and through the system of ecological economic accounts
that can be derived from it, represent a toolbox that supports the operationalisation of a sustainable development from micro
to macro level. It is coherent with Impredicative Loop Analysis, existing management systems within agricultural sciences,
OECD’s principles for sustainable development and the approach of Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Compared to analytical
approaches used in the formulation of sustainability policies in the private and public sphere, based on conceptual models
ignoring the complexity when life (bios) is a defining system characteristic, its relevance for the operationalisation of
sustainable development approaches infinity. The third part presents results from statistical analysis of relations between
gross domestic product and energy supply and some emissions, respectively, for different nations and time periods, delivering
values on levels and trends for parameters in the BAPF as well as a first test of the relevance of the BAPF proposed. The
paper is ended by a theoretical analysis of the costs of provoking an economic system working under ecological source and
sink restrictions to follow exponential growth: The need to decouple economic growth from natural resource use and emissions
is highlighted. Otherwise, the erosion of the ecological foundation of the economy with regard to source as well as sink aspects
will be a function of exponential growth. |
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