Gendered degrowth transformation for care and justice in Europe

This article introduces engendering degrowth as a novel, transformative response to the ecological and social crises fueled by perpetual economic expansion. A gender-informed transformative capacity framework is developed to redefine degrowth as the equitable reduction of production and consumption centered on a life-affirming economy, a proposal that fundamentally challenges the growth imperative. This analysis is enriched by feminist economics, which underscores that a genuine transition requires a paradigm shift from a capital-centered to a life-centered economy, acknowledging the central role of care for people and the planet. The degrowth utopia is intertwined with the concept of a “living society,” promoted by organizations like Reinventing Society, which redefines prosperity in terms of vitality, connection, and collective well-being. By integrating new theoretical perspectives, such as the Ecomindsponge, Nature Quotient, and Sustainability Mindset, the article’s main contribution is to show that the feasibility of degrowth hinges on a prerequisite mindset shift at the micro, meso, and macro levels, essential for a just transition to a post-growth society. Although the European Union avoids the term “degrowth” in legislation, the discourse gains ground among academics, activists, and policymakers, as evidenced by European initiatives. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at fostering gender- and care-centered socio-ecological transformation. Degrowth represents a viable path to a just and habitable future, but only when framed as an indispensable socio-ecological transition rooted in gender justice and the revaluation of care.