The labour and resource use requirements of a good life for all
16 days ago
- #labour-footprint
- #basic-needs
- #sustainability
- The study uses multi-regional input-output analysis to assess the labour, energy, emissions, and material use required to meet basic needs.
- Two scenarios are analyzed: a 'decent living' scenario with bare necessities and a 'good life' scenario based on UK minimum living standards.
- The 'decent living' scenario requires an 18-hour workweek but fails to provide essential needs, while the 'good life' scenario requires a 46-hour workweek.
- Current UK labour footprint is 65 hours per week, sustained partly by importing labour from other countries.
- Both scenarios show substantial reductions in energy use, emissions, and materials compared to current UK levels.
- The study concludes that limiting consumption to basic needs is insufficient for sustainability; changes to provisioning systems are also needed.