Sustainability Performances, Evidence and Scenarios

The aim of the SPES project is to generate new knowledge and evidence about the nexus between economic growth, human flourishing and sustainability, contributing to the creation and uptake of a novel integrated framework fostering the transition towards the sustainable human development in European countries and regions.

The SPES project focusing its attention, both theoretically and empirically, on the four pillars of the sustainable human development: a) Productivity, conceived as pursuing an efficient use of economic, human and natural resources through innovation processes; b) Equality for all, conceived as fostering equal political, economic, social and cultural opportunities; c) Sustainability, conceived as promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation and ensuring the protection, restoration and improvement of the environment; d) Participation and empowerment, conceived as enabling citizens, social groups and communities to be active agents of their future.

Focusing on these four pillars allows both an in-depth analysis of their synergies and trade-offs, and their contribution to transition performances across Europe and the Global South.

SPES will combine diverse methods, including 1) econometric analysis, including microsimulation and panel data analysis; 2) co-design workshops with key stakeholders; 3) scenario analysis; 4) case-study analysis The strong involvement of a carefully structured International Stakeholder Committee and of a Scientific Advisory Board, as well as the adoption of tailored communication, dissemination and impact Strategies, will decisively contribute to foster SPES impact.

The newly produced policy and measurement framework will give further strengths to the transition towards sustainable human development by informing both the public debate and the implementation of existing policy frameworks, with a particular focus on the 2030 Agenda, the European Green Deal and the Just Transition Mechanisms, and the NextGeneration EU.