Alternative economic models and their impact on the SDGs

Abstract This thesis uses policy analysis to investigate how the implementation of alternative economic models, hereunder, the Doughnut Economy Framework and Community Economies Return on Investment (CEROI) tool, can help offer solutions to some of the critiques the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are experiencing. More specifically, the analysis research how the implementation of these alternative economic models can help offer solutions to critiques regarding: - Inconsistency between the goals - The lack of concrete action plans within the SDG framework - Problems with collecting and quantifying data The study has been carried out through a feminist methodology, focusing on transition and transformation theory. SDG goal 8 – Decent work and Economic growth – has been the key goal for the analysis. The discussion in the thesis suggests that the solution to these critiques lies in changing from a top-down to a bottom-up, place-based perspective instead of a top-down, globally focused framework. It suggests a transition from a focus on economic growth and increased GDP to thriving within the doughnut, where growth in production and consumption is repositioned to fit within the means of absolute decoupling. The thesis argues for these changes to be made through deliberate transformation, focusing on change in both the personal, political, and practical spheres through collective action, social learning, and consensus building.