The first comprehensive comparison of ‘degrowth’ scenarios with established pathways to limit climate change highlights the risk of over-reliance on technological innovation to support continued global growth – which is assumed in established global climate modelling. Findings include: Technologically less risky ‘degrowth’ limits global warming to 1.5C while global GDP declines by 0.5% annually; a maximum 2C warming can be achieved with 0% GDP growth using available technology (i.e. in line with technological trends).
