Commons-based peer production for degrowth? - The case for eco-sufficiency in economic organisations

Abstract

Degrowth advocates radical reduction in society's matter-energy throughput. Organisations have received little attention in this discourse. In the context of sustainability much emphasis has been put on the concept of eco-efficiency, disregarding the rebound effect. In contrast, eco-sufficiency emphasises producing and consuming enough. This article operationalises eco-sufficiency as an indicator for degrowth and focuses on how eco-sufficiency orientations manifest in a commons-based peer production organisation. The studied case of WindEmpowerment shows only marginal manifestations of eco-sufficiency in its orientation. Commons-based peer organisations must actively aim to reduce matter-energy throughput by adopting an eco-sufficiency orientation to fit degrowth.

Keywords

• Degrowth
• Digital commons
• Peer production
• Commons-based peer production
• Eco-sufficiency
• Sustainable organisations