@article{hofmann2022die author = {Ekkehard Hofmann}, title = {Die Grenzen des Wachstums als Rechtsfrage}, journal = {Zeitschrift für Europäisches Umwelt- und Planungsrecht}, volume = {20}, number = {3}, year = {2022}, abstract = {50 years ago, the Club of Rome commissioned a study on the sustainability of the Western way of life. “Limits to Growth” had a huge impact on how environmental policies were since shaped and perceived, the notion of sustainability as an answer to the finiteness of natural resources became a household staple. However, the study received fundamental criticism because it made the prediction that civilization will face catastrophic consequences in the middle of the 21st century. “Planetary boundaries”, as a completely different approach tried to avoid such contentious statements. Its objective is to identify a safe operating space for societal development in which humanity can continue to develop and thrive. Both reports acknowledge the finiteness of life on earth. The paper deals with regulatory concepts that are designed to address this insight including the EU Action Plan on circular economy.}, url = {} }