Ongoing economic growth is possible without additional non-renewable inputs
the verdict
CONTESTED
the evidence cuts both ways
confidence 30/100
Whether ongoing economic growth is possible without additional non-renewable inputs remains heavily contested; while some economic models and regional studies suggest green growth and decoupling are achievable through renewables and technology, comprehensive empirical reviews argue that absolute decoupling has not been demonstrated globally.
The evidence we hold leans leans refuted
How this was weighed
official record 3x · fact-check 2x · hedged 1x · crowd & reference 1x
Exploring the impact of digital technology, circular technol · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 1.05 · 2025
Empirical Analysis of Non-Renewable Energy, Renewable Energy · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 1.05 · 2025
Is Green Growth Possible? · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 2.5 · 2019
Sustainable consumption and the power of economic growth: ex · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1.3 · 2022
Coupling versus Decoupling? Challenging Evidence over the Li · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1.3 · 2022
Is Norway on the pathway to green growth? Evidence on decoup · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1.05 · 2024
Questioning the Assumptions, Sustainability and Ethics of En · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1.05 · 2021
Evidence for · 2
Exploring the impact of digital technology, circular technology and public management on environmental sustainability in emerging economies.
2025 · cited by 4
Paper [9] suggests that transitioning to renewable energy and circular economies can help achieve environmental goals without hindering economic growth.
Evidence against · 5
Is Green Growth Possible?
2019 · cited by 1,497
Paper [0] finds no empirical evidence that absolute decoupling of economic growth from resource use can be achieved on a global scale.
See more details
More for · 1
Empirical Analysis of Non-Renewable Energy, Renewable Energy, Foreign Direct Investment, and Economic Growth on Environmental Sustainability
2025 · cited by 4
Paper [11] supports the Environmental Kuznets Curve theory, implying that economic growth can eventually align with environmental sustainability.
More against · 4
Sustainable consumption and the power of economic growth: exploring alternatives to the growth-dependency narrative
2022 · cited by 11
Paper [5] notes that efficiency gains and technological innovations have consistently been offset by rebound effects, leaving green growth unproven.
Coupling versus Decoupling? Challenging Evidence over the Link between Economic Growth and Resource Use
2022 · cited by 11
Paper [6] shows that increasing resource use continues to outpace material intensity reductions, highlighting ongoing coupling between the economy and resources.
Is Norway on the pathway to green growth? Evidence on decoupling between GDP and environmental footprints
2024 · cited by 8
Paper [7] investigates Norway and finds no sufficient absolute decoupling between GDP and environmental footprints.
Questioning the Assumptions, Sustainability and Ethics of Endless Economic Growth
2021 · cited by 7
Paper [8] questions the sustainability of endless economic growth on a finite planet and argues that absolute decoupling is largely a fantasy.