“The corridors at Davos are buzzing with discussion over China’s growing commitment to sustainability”, says Peter Lacy in the Guardian .

This analysis by Accenture’s Sustainability Director Peter Lacy disregards a few fundamental aspects of China’s spectacular rise:

  • the growing inequality and large pockets of poverty in rural China,
  • lack of democracy and respect for human rights,
  • resource greed leading to landgrabbing practices in other countries and last but not least
  • a missing recognition of the need to develop a global economy within planetary boundaries.

Yes, China is a game-changer but only within the existing “growth first” paradigm. Its green leadership has little to do with recognising limits to growth but with a strong determination and abundant financial resources to dominate the new green industrial markets. The real game-changer for the one-planet economy is still missing.

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