To maximize society's welfare, economists should be concerned with the efficient use of the stock of natural resources. The stock of natural resources is a gift of nature. The usefulness of this stock comes from its alternative uses, e.g. existence, exploitation and bequest. Therefore, the...

Employing World Bank data, this article finds that the observed worldwide transition from industrial to service activity has an insignificant long‐term impact on global de‐materialization. Unlike earlier studies that focus on actual material flows for specific sectors, this study considers...

Society has to find ways and means to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, to prevent global warming when considering inter‐generational equity with respect to environmental quality. The aim of the carbon dioxide emission control is to keep the level of carbon...

Examines the role of trade in promoting sustainable economic development in Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries. Opponents of trade liberalization argue that it results in environmental degradation. While there may be adverse environmental impacts from certain trade‐related economic...

Purpose – Aims to assess the potential for a broad “green” technoeconomic paradigm (TEP) to effectively achieve and sustain higher levels of welfare from economic and environmental sources in manylower income countries (LIC). A green TEP comprises a new socioeconomic system based upon a...

Purpose – This paper seeks to evaluate different approaches to forest conservation in the areas outside the national parks of south‐western Madagascar. Design/methodology/approach – Data from a household survey in the area are employed to analyse farmer strategies towards conservation of...

Purpose – The paper aims to explicate the systematic creation of social and ecological scarcities within an absolutely monetised economy and derives the necessity to change the “rules of the game” for doing business towards sustainability. Therefore, a model of human behaviour is developed...

Purpose – This paper is concerned with sustainable development (supporting profit‐making enterprises as alternatives to providing relief efforts in developing countries) of faith‐based enterprises in Kenya focusing on the question of measuring social enterprises as a strategy for the...

Purpose – This paper is an attempt to advance the critical discussion regarding environmental and societal responsibility in economics and business. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents and discusses as a holistic, organic perspective enabling innovative solutions to challenges...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present exploration of themes that interconnect six studies in environmentally and socially sustainable human development. Design/methodology/approach – The article presents an overview of the papers included in this special issue. Findings – As...