Investigating potential trade-offs between economic growth, societal welfare and environmental sustainability

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The primary aim of this PhD is to investigate potential trade-offs between societal well-being, environmental sustainability and economic growth. Considering degrowth (or 'planned recession') as a potential route to achieving environmental sustainability, using a comparative case study approach to develop a detailed understanding of the mechanisms which allow some regions to navigate periods of recession with fewer negative impacts on societal well-being than others. This will be augmented by an econometric analysis to understand how these relationships scale up to the country-level. Finally, policy appraisal will be conducted, evaluating specific degrowth policies using a range of social, environmental and economic criteria. This PhD will contribute to the literature by deepening our understanding of how we can achieve environmental sustainability and societal well-being in a low- or de-growth economy.