ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the concept of sustainable development (SD) from its conception to its current identification with the green economy paradigm. UNEP's Green Economy Framework is at odds with empirical evidence suggesting: the impossibility of decoupling energy and resource use from economic growth, and the lack of causal relationship between economic growth and human wellbeing. The characteristics of the Human Scale Development (HSD) proposal are thoroughly discussed in addition to a framework to build SD. The chapter provides a specific methodology to support policy-making at the grassroots levels. SD understood as the process of development that takes into account the possibilities of current and future generations to satisfy their needs does not require that economies experience economic growth. The chapter finishes by outlining SD approaches that do not revolve around the necessity of economic growth; among the HSD proposal based on self-reliance, a balanced articulation of technology, nature and society and human needs fulfilment.
