Doughnut Economics within urban climate action: a comparative study between Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Stockholm

Abstract

In this thesis we examine the influence of Doughnut Economics thinking on urban climate action. By comparing the urban visions and climate action plans of the Doughnut-following city of Amsterdam and the cities of Copenhagen and Stockholm, we try to investigate whether following a Doughnut approach leads to different climate action than currently can be found within the traditional growth-based economic paradigm.

Through a qualitative text analysis, we first test the urban visions of the three cities, represented within their city plans, with compliance to the Doughnut framework. Next, we test the climate action plans against a set of criteria, based on the sustainable urban transformation framework by McCormick et al. (2013) and societal requirements for governance. Consequently do we compare the visions and climate plans with each other before discussing the main differences.

We find that following a Doughnut Economics approach leads to a more complex understanding of climate-related urban governance, which gets reflected in the Doughnut understanding of traditional capitalist cities. On the other hand are the climate targets very similar, but the Amsterdam plan is too young to conclude anything about its execution. Furthermore do the cities of Copenhagen and Stockholm base their climate action on economic growth and rational behaviour, whilst the city of Amsterdam values the importance of urgent and responsible climate action, implying a more solidified base for complex urban governance.