Can Growth and Sustainability Truly Coexist? An Environmental Economics Perspective on the SDGs

Author(s)	Ms. Shreya Dhil
Country	India
Abstract	Can growth and sustainability truly coexist? This paper examines that tension through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, using tools from environmental economics such as carbon pricing, green incentives, and behavioural nudges. It pairs theoretical insights with case studies from India and Sweden. What came through was a mix of progress and frustration. There’s awareness, yes, but also financial limits, monopolies that make green options expensive, political pushback, and a clear gap between what people say and what they do. It shows that sustainability is still treated more as a moral duty than something that’s essential for economic growth. The paper argues for a change in mindset. One where climate action isn’t seen as a burden or a sacrifice, but as the base that future growth stands on. Only when that shift happens can the SDGs move from lofty promises to something people can genuinely live and experience.
Keywords	growth, sustainability, environmental economics, UN Sustainable Development Goals, carbon pricing, green incentives, behavioural nudges, India, Sweden, climate action, economic growth, mindset shift, sustainable development, environmental responsibility
Field	Sociology > Economics
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-20
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.58225

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research