ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests what kind of economy might be environmentally sustainable and fair and conducive to well-being. Particularly given capitalism's evident dependence on economic growth, and the need to drastically cut emissions of greenhouse gases, deeper changes in economic institutions are also needed. The challenge of building a carbon-neutral economy obliges to go back to basics and reconsider what an economy is for, and consider the nature of the social and material, environmental relations involved. The chapter discusses some alternative political economic institutions, and begins with some of these basic issues, arguing for a moral economic approach. In a steady-state economy, it is important to legislate to reduce labour hours, to inhibit growth while avoiding unemployment, and to improve work-life balance. There are some obvious preconditions for a good life beyond growth, most obviously massive investment in renewable energy and low-carbon production.
