Measuring weak sustainability

Eric Neumayer ()

Chapter 5 in Weak versus Strong Sustainability, 2025, pp 125-145 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines the practical measurement of weak sustainability (WS). It discusses the change in total wealth per capita as the theoretically correct measure of WS, presenting data from the World Bank and UNEP. The chapter also evaluates the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW) or Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) as alternative WS indicators. Early ISEW/GPI studies showed a widening gap between GDP and ISEW/GPI due to methodological flaws. More recent studies offer nuanced findings, with results varying by country. The chapter concludes by critically assessing both measures, highlighting the challenges and subjectivity involved in measuring WS.

Keywords: Weak sustainability; Change in total wealth per capita; Genuine savings; Net adjusted savings; Genuine Progress Indicator; GPI; Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare; ISEW (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035327881
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