Towards a Sustainable and Equitable Economic Development in Brazil: Applying the Doughnut Economics Model Open Access

Laws, Anna (Spring 2023)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/w0892c25f?locale=en%255D
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Abstract

Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics model offers a fresh perspective on economic development that prioritizes human prosperity within ecological boundaries. However, its application has been limited to the Global North, and this paper aims to explore its potential in the context of economic development in Brazil, specifically the beef industry. The expansion of cattle ranching in Brazil has led to significant environmental and social costs despite recent efforts to reduce deforestation rates.

This thesis presents a white paper that draws conclusions from publicly available data, using inductive reasoning to identify research and application gaps in the Doughnut Economics model. The goal is to stimulate thinking on how economics can be improved in the global development sector. The thesis examined data for a Doughnut Brazil and found that while some targets, such as access to energy and social support, have been exceeded, others, such as land-use change and nitrogen and phosphorus usage, have not been met. The thesis argues that adopting the Doughnut Economics approach can lead to a more balanced and sustainable model of international development that benefits everyone, especially the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change and inequality.

Overall, the thesis highlights the potential of the Doughnut Economics model in guiding economic development in Brazil and beyond. By considering ecological boundaries and human well-being, it offers a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to economic policy that can lead to a fairer and more equitable future.

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION 1

CLIMATE CHANGE 2

Figure 1. Impact of Anthropogenic Climate Change (Environmental Protection Agency, (n.d.)) 2

INCOME AS A DEVELOPMENT INDICATOR 5

CURRENT STATE OF THE WORLD 7

LOOKING FORWARD 9

DOUGHNUT ECONOMICS 11

Figure 2. The Doughnut of Social and Planetary Boundaries, (Raworth, 2017). 13

Social Foundation 14

Ecological Ceiling 15

Safe and Just Space for Humanity 15

Figure 3. The Doughnut of Social and Planetary Boundaries (Raworth, 2017) 17

Table 1. Global State of The Doughnut of Social and Planetary Boundaries (Raworth, 2017) 18

II. LITERATURE REVIEW 22

TRADITIONAL ECONOMIC THINKING 22

Figure 4. Environmental Kuznets Curve (Office for National Statistics, 2019) 26

THE DOUGHNUT MODEL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES 28

Strengths 28

Weaknesses 31

APPLICATIONS IN THE GLOBAL NORTH 34

APPLICATIONS IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH 44

CASE STUDY: BRAZIL 45

III. METHODS 47

INFORMATION SOURCING ON TRADITIONAL ECONOMICS 47

INFORMATION SOURCING ON DOUGHNUT ECONOMICS AND ITS APPLICATIONS 48

INFORMATION SOURCING ON BRAZIL CASE STUDY 49

ANALYSIS 50

IV. RESULTS 50

Table 2. Comparing Social Foundation and SDG Indicators 51

Table 3. Comparing Ecological Ceiling and Planetary Boundaries Indicators 53

CASE STUDY: BRAZIL 54

Gross National Income 54

Figure 5. Brazil Gross National Income per capita (World Bank Group, (n.d.)a.) 55

Gini Index 56

Figure 6. Brazil Gini Index (World Bank Group, (n.d.)b) 58

Brazil Contribution to Global Climate Change 59

Figure 7. Global Top Ten Greenhouse Gas Emitters (Friedrich et. al., 2023) 60

Figure 8. Sector Contribution to Total Country Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Friedrich et. al., 2023) 62

Brazil Doughnut 62

Figure 9. Brazil State of the Doughnut, 2015 (Gutiérrez Martínez & Fanning, (n.d.)) 63

Table 4. The Doughnut of Social and Planetary Boundaries in Brazil (Gutiérrez Martínez & Fanning (n.d.)) 65

Figure 10. Biophysical Indicators - Brazil Doughnut (Gutiérrez Martínez & Fanning, (n.d.)) 68

Figure 11. Social Indicators - Brazil Doughnut (Gutiérrez Martínez & Fanning, (n.d.)) 71

Beef Industry 72

Brazil Beef Industry Contribution to Climate Change 73

V. DISCUSSION 74

FEASIBILITY 75

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BRAZIL 76

KEY MESSAGES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 78

VI. REFERENCES 81

APPENDIX 1. ABSTRACT TABLE OF RESOURCES 88

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