| Abstract: |
This paper develops a theoretical framework for four sustainability paradigms
(weak sustainability, a-growth, de-growth, strong sustainability) within
cooperative and non-cooperative scenarios, and includes changes in four values
(a sense of responsibility to nature and future generations; aversion to
inequality for current and future generations). The model assesses the
feasibility of sustainability solutions for a shared environment as a function
of specific value changes in each country by interpreting these value changes
as support for environmental policies. The solutions are defined in terms of
consumption, use of the environment, and welfare of representative individuals
in each country; they are characterised by efficiency and equality at both
intra- and inter-generational levels; they are checked for internal
consistency and consistency with alternative approaches such as
utilitarianism, egalitarianism (i.e., Arneson, Dworkin, Sen), and
contractarianism. Theoretical insights are obtained by comparing contextual
stability and relative effectiveness of the environment’s use among countries
in alternative scenarios. A case study of the Baltic Sea operationally
suggests that the currently adopted strong sustainability (i.e., an ecosystem
approach) in a non-cooperative scenario (i.e., countries attempt to maximize
their own rather than overall welfare) is internally consistent, relatively
efficient, and consistent with Dworkin egalitarianism. A-growth was never
feasible, but de-growth in which Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Sweden
increase environmental protection would increase intra-generational equality;
de-growth or weak sustainability in which Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,
and Russia increase environmental R&D would increase intra- and
inter-generational equality; weak sustainability and de-growth consistent with
Arneson and Dworkin egalitarianism would improve the environmental status. |