Decoupling wellbeing from consumption: exploring quality time as a satisfier of human needs for sustainable living

Human wellbeing is essential for sustainable development, requiring the fair fulfilment of basic needs within Earth’s ecological boundaries. This study explores the potential of low-emission quality time as a satisfier of human needs, using Max-Neef’s Human Scale Development model and examining the findings through the lens of sufficiency and sustainability. We address two key questions: (1) What is the potential of quality time, including low-emission and accessible experiences, to satisfy human needs? (2) How do individuals experience quality time in relation to the satisfaction of their needs? Through in-depth interviews, we investigate how individuals’ experiences of quality time meet their needs from two perspectives. First, we focus on needs and their satisfiers, independent of specific individuals. Second, we focus on each participant and reflect on participants’ personal experiences of quality time. Our findings indicate that low-material- and low-energy-intensive forms of quality time, such as spending time with family and friends, engaging in physical activity, and being in nature, can satisfy a wide range of human needs. These experiences are generally accessible and do not require monetary transactions, highlighting their potential contribution to sufficiency-oriented wellbeing. This study contributes conceptually to the transition from consumption-based wellbeing towards models centered on flourishing, self-development, and sustainable lifestyles, offering insights for policy and practice in sustainability science.