The labour and resource use requirements of a good life for all

Chris McElroy and Daniel W. O'Neill
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Chris McElroy: University of Vermont
Daniel W. O'Neill: University of Leeds

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Abstract: We use multi-regional input-output analysis to calculate the paid labour, energy, emissions, and material use required to provide basic needs for all people. We calculate two different low-consumption scenarios, using the UK as a case study: (1) a "decent living" scenario, which includes only the bare necessities, and (2) a "good life" scenario, which is based on the minimum living standards demanded by UK residents. We compare the resulting footprints to the current footprint of the UK, and to the footprints of the US, China, India, and a global average. Labour footprints are disaggregated by sector, skill level, and region of origin. We find that both low-consumption scenarios would still require an unsustainable amount of labour and resources at the global scale. The decent living scenario would require a 26-hour working week, and on a per capita basis, 89 GJ of energy use, 5.9 tonnes of emissions, and 5.7 tonnes of used materials per year. The more socially sustainable good life scenario would require a 53-hour working week, 165 GJ of energy use, 9.9 tonnes of emissions, and 11.5 tonnes of used materials per capita. Both scenarios represent substantial reductions from the UK's current labour footprint of 68 hours per week, which the UK is only able to sustain by importing a substantial portion of its labour from other countries. We conclude that reducing consumption to the level of basic needs is not enough to achieve either social or environmental sustainability. Dramatic improvements in provisioning systems are also required.

Date: 2024-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene, nep-env and nep-hme
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