Arild Vatn

This timely book advances a distinct understanding of the economy as embedded in natural and socio-political processes. It shows how ecological economics, if turned into a discipline grounded in critical realism, institutional theory and sustainability-oriented values, holds significant potential for supporting the development of a sustainable future. Rethinking Ecological Economics aims at developing ecological economics into a coherent professional position. Arild Vatn explores the potential of institutional theory - with its specific understanding of human action and value formation - as the basis for such an endeavor. Economic systems are human constructions and what values are advanced in production and consumption depend on how they are structured. Present institutional structures favor powerful short-term individual interests that endanger the Earth. The book lays the ground for analyzing how long-term common interests can become privileged, and discusses how respecting Earth system boundaries can be ensured through thoroughgoing changes in political and economic institutions. This book is a vital read for scholars and students of environmental and ecological economics, as well as mainstream and heterodox economists interested in environmental challenges. It is also a beneficial resource for practitioners in environmental management and those active in civil society organizations working on conservational issues.

Bærekraftig økonomi handler om hva som forårsaker en av vår tids største utfordringer – klima- og miljøkrisen – og tar opp hva vi kan gjøre for å skape en bærekraftig framtid. Boken tar utgangspunkt i økologisk og institusjonell økonomi. Den tilbyr begreper og forståelsesmåter som avviker fra tradisjonell økonomifaglig tenkning når vi skal løse bærekraftens utfordringer. To forhold er spesielt sentrale: For det første trengs modeller som vektlegger økonomien som integrert i naturens prosesser. For det andre trengs en utvidet forståelse av hva som motiverer handlingene våre når vi opptrer i ulike roller eller samfunnsfunksjoner. Mens teknologisk endring er viktig, påpeker boken at «det grønne skiftet» krever grunnleggende endringer også i de politiske og økonomiske systemene våre. Boken diskuterer hvordan disse kan se ut. Hovedmålet med Bærekraftig økonomi er likevel ikke å foreskrive løsninger, men å hjelpe leseren til å tenke kreativt om hvordan framtiden kan se ut og hvordan vi kan komme dit. Boken presentere måter å tenke på som kan vitalisere debatten om nødvendige samfunnsmessige endringer. Den er tilpasset undervisningsbehovet på bachelornivå, men gir viktig innsikt for alle samfunnsengasjerte mennesker. Arild Vatn er professor ved Institutt for internasjonale miljø- og utviklingsstudier ved Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet. Han har arbeidet innen fagområdet miljøpolitikk i det meste av sin aktive karriere. Han har ledet the European Society of Ecological Economics og mottatt flere priser for arbeidet sitt både i Norge og internasjonalt.

Environmental governance encompasses our relations to nature, spanning institutions and policies in fields such as biodiversity loss, climate change, land use and pollution. This book offers tools for the study of environmental conflicts, analyzes the current status of environmental policies and discusses why we are so far from resolving many of the issues we face. It also offers alternative directions for future environmental governance.Key features include:an interdisciplinary and integrated approachan overview of the field of environmental governancea focus both on local and global challenges and policiesthe positioning of environmental governance within the wider field of economic policy and development.This book will be ideal for interdisciplinary masters programs in environmental studies and environmental policy and management. It will also be of great value to practitioners in the field exploring alternative solutions for governance of environmental resources.

Environmental governance encompasses our relations to nature, spanning institutions and policies in fields such as biodiversity loss, climate change, land use and pollution. This book offers tools for the study of environmental conflicts, analyzes the current status of environmental policies and discusses why we are so far from resolving many of the issues we face. It also offers alternative directions for future environmental governance.Key features include:an interdisciplinary and integrated approachan overview of the field of environmental governancea focus both on local and global challenges and policiesthe positioning of environmental governance within the wider field of economic policy and development.This book will be ideal for interdisciplinary masters programs in environmental studies and environmental policy and management. It will also be of great value to practitioners in the field exploring alternative solutions for governance of environmental resources.

This important text develops an institutional response to the core issues raised in public policy making and develops a distinct understanding of the role of institutions, not least in the study of environmental problems. It questions: how are conflicting interests shaped and taken into account in policy making? How should they be accounted for? What motivates the behaviour of firms and individuals, and how is it possible to change these motivations to produce the favoured common outcomes?The author addresses these questions by integrating elements from classical institutional economics, neoclassical economics, sociology and ecological economics. He argues that public policy in general, and environmental policy in particular, are best examined from an institutional perspective. In this way the author presents a distinct and consistent alternative to standard neoclassical economics for students and scholars who are interested in an institutional understanding of environmental policy making. The book is written in a clear and accessible style with boxes and figures to help explain the issues and, as such, would be an ideal alternative or supplement to the standard environmental economics texts.

This important text develops an institutional response to the core issues raised in public policy making and develops a distinct understanding of the role of institutions, not least in the study of environmental problems. It questions: how are conflicting interests shaped and taken into account in policy making? How should they be accounted for? What motivates the behaviour of firms and individuals, and how is it possible to change these motivations to produce the favoured common outcomes?The author addresses these questions by integrating elements from classical institutional economics, neoclassical economics, sociology and ecological economics. He argues that public policy in general, and environmental policy in particular, are best examined from an institutional perspective. In this way the author presents a distinct and consistent alternative to standard neoclassical economics for students and scholars who are interested in an institutional understanding of environmental policy making. The book is written in a clear and accessible style with boxes and figures to help explain the issues and, as such, would be an ideal alternative or supplement to the standard environmental economics texts.