Realising the ‘wellbeing dividend’: An exploratory study using the Human Scale Development approach

Abstract

Despite claims about the existence of the ‘wellbeing dividend’, that sustainable and reduced consumption is compatible with increased wellbeing, there is little evidence that this dividend is being realised. The present research illustrates how through workshops addressing the cultural, economic, political and personal factors that impede or promote human need satisfaction, a given society can unravel its own pathway towards sustainability and wellbeing. This study draws on the wellbeing literature, particularly Max-Neef's approach to human needs and satisfiers. It uses an analysis of group discussions in Lleida, a medium-sized Catalonian city, to show how unsustainable consumption is associated with local hurdles for actualising needs and how sustainable consumption is linked to local descriptions of the utopian, need-actualising society. The manner of progressing towards need actualisation and sustainability is also addressed by participants; who identify the changes in norms, institutions and personal identity that need to be in place. The analysis reveals the interrelatedness of satisfiers and argues for a systemic perspective to address social transition towards sustainability and wellbeing at the local level.