Climate’s Deepening Imprint on Global Income and Work The global economy stands at a critical juncture as climate change increasingly disrupts established economic systems and transforms working conditions worldwide. Income and Work represent a key dimension of the social foundation within the Doughnut Economics framework, as climate driven changes reshape labor markets, productivity, and economic output globally. ...
Housing’s Foundational Role in the Doughnut’s Sweet Spot The housing crisis facing communities worldwide reflects a fundamental breakdown in how societies organize and distribute this essential human need. Within the Doughnut Economics framework, housing represents a critical component of the social foundation—the minimum standards required for all people to live in dignity and security.1 This analysis examines the housing crisis through the lens of “safe and just space for humanity,” exploring how current housing systems transgress both social boundaries (by failing to meet basic human needs) and planetary boundaries (through unsustainable development practices). This approach emphasizes housing as a critical social foundation, a concept intrinsically linked to the Doughnut’s broader ambition of achieving collective prosperity within ecological limits.12 Indeed, housing security directly impacts health, education, economic opportunity, and community resilience—all essential elements of the social foundation that supports human flourishing. ...
A History of the Gap and How We Measure It The gender pay gap has deep historical roots in the gendered division of labor and societal norms regarding women’s participation in the workforce. To begin with, equal pay legislation has been implemented in many countries—with the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention dating back to 1951—yet implementation gaps and structural barriers have limited progress1. During its tracking period since 2006, the World Economic Forum has found that while some improvement has occurred, the pace of change remains frustratingly slow2. The global gender gap score in 2023 stood at 68.4% closed, representing only marginal improvement from 68.1% in 20222. Examining the constant sample of 102 countries covered continuously from 2006 to 2023 reveals that the gap stands at 68.6% closed, demonstrating the persistent nature of this inequality2. ...
The Doughnut Dilemma: Why Education Matters The Doughnut Economics framework paints a picture of development within two crucial boundaries: meeting essential societal needs without overstepping our planet’s limits1. In this picture, education is not just a fundamental right but also the engine that drives societal progress. ...
Health Equity: A Foundation for Sustainable Societies Health equity is both a moral imperative and a practical necessity for sustainable human development. It refers to the absence of avoidable or remediable differences in health among groups of people, regardless of their social, economic, demographic, or geographic background1. The global community has recognized this by incorporating it into the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, with universal health coverage as a crucial target2. ...