Beyond GDP: A Global Commons for Accelerating Sustainable Development on a Finite Planet

How can we move beyond GDP to understand and pursue prosperity while safeguarding natural systems and societal wellbeing? 

In this talk, Professor Phoebe Koundouri, (Athens University of Economics and Business) presents a human-centred and interdisciplinary economic systems approach that brings natural capital, ecosystem services, environmental pressures, resilience, equity and wider societal wellbeing into the analysis of economic development.

Drawing on a Beyond-GDP economic modelling framework, the approach explores how changes associated with energy transitions, water availability, land use, ecosystem degradation and restoration affect economies and societies. It makes it possible to examine not only impacts on production, consumption, investment and employment, but also the wider trade-offs, synergies and distributional consequences involved in different pathways towards sustainable development.

These insights are combined with climate, biodiversity, social and financial risk assessment to help identify transformation pathways that can support prosperity while protecting natural systems and improving resilience and equity. Drawing on her role as Co-Chair of the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Report 2027, Phoebe Koundouri will explore how this integrated approach could underpin a digital Global Commons connecting science, policy and finance and help accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals to 2030 and beyond.

About Phoebe

Phoebe's research focuses on sustainable development, climate economics, natural resource management, and the relationship between environmental sustainability, society, and the economy. She is Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Global Climate Hub and has advised organisations including the United Nations, World Bank, European Commission, and OECD on climate and sustainability policy.

The event will include a drinks reception, audience Q&A, and an opportunity for informal networking and discussion following the talk.

Please note that this event is hybrid - so you can choose between attending in person or online. You can select this when you're filling out the registration form.

This session is part of the 'Rethinking Prosperity on a Finite Planet' event series.