Decoupled: Successful Planning Policies in Countries that Have Reduced per Capita Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Continued Economic Growth

Abstract

This paper highlights planning interventions in countries that have implemented successful greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction policies while continuing to increase per capita GDP. Screening and reviewing all countries in the world, with this research I have identified nine countries that have steadily decoupled per capita carbon emissions from GDP. GHG emission profiles and pertinent policies from national case studies demonstrate the built environment sectors most responsive (waste, residential, land-use change, and forestry) and least responsive (transportation) to GHG reduction policies without import substitution. A comparison amongst case-study countries and theoretical models indicates the best opportunities for targeting GHG reductions.