9.2.6—Sustainable growth

Sustainable economic growth increases current welfare while preserving the environmental, social and physical resources needed by future generations.

Growth can be more sustainable when productivity, clean technology, resource efficiency and institutions reduce emissions and depletion. A single GDP measure does not capture external costs, resilience or distribution.

Investment in renewable power and energy efficiency may raise current demand and future productive capacity while lowering emissions, although materials, land use and reliability still need assessment.

“Green” or “sustainable” is not guaranteed by a label; compare the full life-cycle costs, rebound effects and whether damage is actually reduced.