A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Comparative Analysis of ASEAN Countries Using Sustainability Window and Doughnut Economy Models




AuthorsLuukkanen Jyrki, Kaivo-oja Jari, Vehmas Jarmo

PublisherOntario International Development Agency

Publishing placeCanada

Publication year2022

JournalOIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development

Journal acronymOIDA-IJSD

Volume15

Issue1

First page 39

Last page56

eISSN1923-6654

Web address http://oidaijsd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/15-01-3-054-Juri-THA-22.pdf

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/178528848


Abstract

The role of economic growth has been central in the discussion about sustainability. Economic growth has been linked to the social development of societies, to the improvement in welfare and to poverty alleviation. Economic growth has also been seen as a driver of climate change and environmental destruction. Also, the problems related to equity and internal and international inequality are often linked to economic growth. The Sustainability Window (SuWi) -analysis is a novel method that can be used to analyse the sustainability of development simultaneously in environmental, economic and social dimensions. SuWi is used for analysing sustainability using different indicators in order to provide information on the maximum and minimum economic development to maintain the development within sustainability boundaries. The maximum economic development is determined using environmental criteria, not to exceed sustainable environmental stress, and the minimum economic development using social criteria, to guarantee sustainable social development. The Sustainability Window method can be used for comparative analysis because it is possible to use different indicators and different time periods which makes the comparative analysis of different dimensions easy. This novel method makes it also possible to analyse the dynamics of sustainability and changes over time. Sustainability Window analysis can be used for analysing both weak and strong sustainability. Weak sustainability means that the intensity of environmental stress, measured with different indicators, should not increase. Strong sustainability means that environmental stress per se should not increase. Sustainability Window analysis can be used for constructing the Doughnut Economy model for the analysed countries. In the Doughnut Economy model, the SuWi results are organised in a radial diagram to illustrate the possible area for sustainable economic development in relation to environmental and social development. The outer boundary of economic development indicates the maximum economic development not to exceed the environmental boundaries. The inner boundary illustrates the minimum economic development to fulfil the social development needs. The doughnut area between the outer and inner boundaries forms the sustainable development space. This study provides a comparative Doughnut Model analysis based on SuWi analyses of eight ASEAN countries within the time frame of 2006-2016. The data used for the sustainability analysis in the study is taken from the Sustainable Society Index (SSI) database and UN SDGs data, which provide comprehensive data sets for key dimensions of sustainability. This study reveals key challenges and successful cases of sustainable development in eight ASEAN -countries. The results of the analyses illustrate the problematic areas of development and the successful areas in each ASEAN country. The countries perform differently in different areas having both successful and problematic areas where further policy efforts are needed. The results of the SuWi analysis can be used as a basis for developing balanced sustainability strategies in the ASEAN countries. The research results of the comparative analyses can be used for learning processes in the planning of sustainability policies in the different ASEAN countries.


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Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 21:18