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Deceleration of economic growth is a characteristic feature of developed countries. Percentage gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in the old Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries has decreased approximately 2–3 times over the last 50 years, and countries have managed successfully to adopt this trend. The largest reduction of GDP growth rate was observed in countries such as Japan where the biocapacity exceedance was the largest. In addition, the analysis of long-term changes of GDP and self-reported life satisfaction in developed countries supports Easterlin's paradox indicating that richer people do not feel more satisfied with their lives; however, people from countries with higher per capita GDP feel more satisfied. At the same time, a statistically insignificant correlation was detected between GDP growth rate and life satisfaction, supporting a conclusion that in the developed countries further economic growth does not increase people's well-being. This suggests that decelerating the rate of economic growth gradually approaching the zero growth (steady state) phase is the natural way towards sustainability and it does not contradict the well-being objective in developed countries, especially ones with high biocapacity exceedance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper analyses the compatibility of growth and sustainability in the European Union (EU) including a new EU member states from the former Soviet bloc (EU10). The extension of EU borders, financial and technological support stimulated rapid convergence and decreased the socio-economic differences between the old (EU15) and newly accepted EU member states. The transition from a command to a market economy resulted in the remarkable increase in resource efficiency and other positive aspects of sustainability. Along with 1.5 times increased GDP, final energy consumption decreased by 20%, greenhouse gases emissions by 25% and the emissions of acidifying compounds were halved during the period from the collapse of former Soviet bloc to the recent economic crisis. However, the per capita production and consumption in EU10 is still approximately half that of EU15, and further catch-up growth should be expected ensuring that economic and social cohesion is not achieved at the expense of increased environmental impact. Decelerated economic growth is a feature characteristic of mature economies and the GDP growth rate in EU15 states decreased almost 2.5 times during the last 50 year. Similar trends are characteristic of other developed countries, and market economies have adapted to this trend. Even with a decelerated growth rate, the ecological footprint in developed countries currently exceeds three and more times the allowable limits and almost two-thirds of the ecological footprint relates to traditional energy. De-fossilisation by a greater increase in energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, and more intense material recovery is the most promising option for reducing the ecological footprint of these countries. Deceleration of the economic growth rate supplemented by the aforementioned options is a hard but realistic track leading to the reduction of ecological footprint in developed countries to allowable limits without radical de-growth in consumption and production that can result in unpredictable and unacceptable consequences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Materialism is becoming a global phenomenon and is increasing exponentially. Lithuania, which has survived a long period of occupation, experienced privatization and goods' famine is attributed to the transition countries. In terms of materialistic values, Lithuania is not an exception, as material wealth and image are also very important. Thus, the main question of this paper was whether materialistic values could be reconciled with the pro-environmental behavior, which can be considered as one of the main aspects seeking sustainability. According to the Lithuanian representative survey and by applying the approach of structural equation modeling, the results showed that materialistic values had an insignificant impact on the environmental concern, belief, and responsibility. Meanwhile, analyzing the impact of materialistic values on conservation and princely behavior, it was found that because of gain goals, materialists were more linked to perform conservation behavior, and because of hedonistic goals – princely behavior. Moreover, the environmental concern significantly and positively influenced princely behavior, but negatively – conservation behavior. Environmental beliefs had a positive impact only on conservation behavior. These findings could be important seeking the promotion of pro-environmental behavior, particularly in materialistic societies. Image 10414 • Materialistic values are not compatible with environmental concern, belief, and responsibility. • Materialistic values positively influence conservation and princely behavior. • Environmental concern and responsibility directly, and belief indirectly influence princely behavior. • Environmental belief has a positive and direct impact on conservation behavior. • Environmental concern negatively, responsibility insignificantly influence conservation behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]