HL.b.14—Eco-economic decoupling

Relative decoupling means environmental pressure grows more slowly than the economy; absolute decoupling means total pressure falls while the economy still grows.

Compare an absolute environmental indicator with GDP over the same boundary and period. Emissions per dollar may fall while total emissions rise, which is only relative decoupling.

If GDP rises 25%, emissions intensity falls 20% but total emissions rise 5%, efficiency improved without absolute decoupling.

Sustained global absolute decoupling across all materials, energy, biodiversity and pollution is likely impossible because growth still requires physical throughput and some impacts shift across borders.

Lower intensity, domestic emissions or one selected indicator does not prove total environmental degradation has fallen.