Jeroen van den Bergh explores agrowth at King's College London

This lecture examines the polarization of pro- versus anti-growth perspectives and introduces ‘agrowth’ as an alternative analytical and policy framework. Rather than treating economic growth as an unquestioned objective or a problem to overcome, the ‘agrowth’ perspective suggests disregarding GDP dynamics to give greater weight in policymaking to welfare, equity and sustainability. The lecture situates this debate within the broader context of contemporary capitalism, highlighting how market economies shape the relationship between economic, social and environmental outcomes. To this end it revisits market failures, such as public goods and bads, positive and negative externalities, bounded rationality, and lock-in – which are particularly salient in the context of environmental sustainability and climate change. It further critically assesses varieties of (semi-)capitalism and corresponding anti-growth perspectives. Building on this foundation, the lecture compares the performance of mainstream policy instruments – including pricing and standards – with more heterodox or justice-oriented strategies – such as universal basic income and worktime reduction.

Jeroen van den Bergh is ICREA Research Professor at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB), and Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His research spans climate-policy design, behavioural-evolutionary modelling, and the limits-to-growth debate. He received the Dutch KNAW-Shell Prize for Sustainability Research (2002), the IEC Sant Jordi Environmental Prize (2011), an honorary doctorate from the Open University of the Netherlands (2019), and two ERC Advanced Grants.