Lausanne ecological economics lab

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Ecological economics is a heterodox current in economics that emphasizes the deep dependence of socioeconomic phenomena on natural resources and on flows of energy and matter. It advocates that the analysis of the economy should take explicit account of planetary limits. Ecological economics is fundamentally interdisciplinary tends to take a systems perspective even in its sectoral analyses and to view the relationships between human societies and ecological systems in terms of strong sustainability. Lausanne ecological economics Lab (LEEL) considers it its mission to contribute to the spread of ecological awareness and political mobilization through a change in the economic “lens” that is used when apprehending socio-ecological systems, and to construct new concepts and data to research on whole-system economic change.

Among LEEL’s main research streams are the political economy of degrowth within planetary boundaries, “Doughnut” economics, the debunking of “green growth”, the connection between basic human needs and energy/resource sufficiency, Marxist ecological economics, the epistemology and history of ecological economics, car dependency and systemic lock-in, and the re-thinking of the circular economy.

LEEL participates in the development of the “Degrowth Switzerland” network and intends to offer a running interface with political and associative circles in Vaud and Switzerland, as well as internationally. It is also active in the collective reflection on Vaudois and Swiss school curricula in economics.