Defining a safe and just operating space for the Norwegian economy

Abstract

The ‘doughnut economics’ sustainability framework defines a Safe and Just operating Space (SJS) for humanity where human needs are met within ecological limits. Downscaling this framework from global to sub-global levels can increase its policy-relevance, but also faces methodological challenges, both because limits vary across spatiotemporal scales, and because the lived experience of limits differs across cultures. Using Norway as case study, this paper downscales the doughnut's SJS framework through a bottom-up approach with the aim to increase its relevance for national stakeholders and decisions-makers. Combining Earth system data and socio-demographic data, we assess the performance of the Norwegian economy with regards to planetary boundaries and selected social indicators. Our results indicate ecological overshoots for ten out of the eleven assessed planetary boundaries. They further indicate that despite of its comparatively high social performance, Norway's economy is not providing for all its citizens` needs and rights, with significant disparities being observed across demographic groups. Although Norway is, like other Nordic countries, internationally acclaimed for its sustainability policies, an application of the SJS sustainability framework challenge the notion of a “green” and sustainable Norwegian economy by demonstrating evidence of significant inequalities within its population and large overshoots of its fair share to global resources and ecological sinks.