Towards Sustainable Well-Being examines existing efforts and emerging possibilities to improve upon gross domestic product as the dominant indicator of economic and social performance. Contributions from leading international and Canadian researchers in the field of beyond-GDP measurement offer a rich range of perspectives on alternative ways to measure well-being and sustainability, along with lessons from around the world on how to bring those metrics into the policy process. Key topics include the policy and political impacts of major beyond-GDP measurement initiatives; the most promising possibilities and policy applications for beyond-GDP measurement; key barriers to introducing beyond-GDP metrics; and complementary measures to ensure new measurements are not merely calculated but taken into account in policymaking. The book highlights a distinction between a reformist beyond-GDP vision, which seeks to improve policymaking and quality of life within existing political and economic institutions, and a transformative vision aiming for more fundamental change including a move beyond economic growth. Illustrating the many advances that have occurred in Canada and internationally, Towards Sustainable Well-Being proposes next steps for both the reformist and transformative visions, as well as possible common ground between them in the pursuit of sustainable well-being
"This manuscript provides international and Canadian perspectives on the possibilities for "beyond-GDP" measurement, i.e. alternative or complementary metrics that could allow a move beyond reliance on the Gross Domestic Product as the dominant indicator of economic and social performance. It examines a wide range of ways to measure wellbeing and related issues of sustainability, as well as lessons from the growing number of efforts around the world to measure wellbeing differently and bring those measurements into the policy process through complementary actions and new policy tools. Six main questions tie together the various chapters: What have been the policy and other impacts of key beyond-GDP measurement initiatives so far? What are the most promising possibilities and policy applications for beyond-GDP measurement? Which approach to wellbeing measurement should guide construction of a beyond-GDP indicator or indicator dashboard? What complementary measures and related policy tools can help ensure that new measurements are not merely calculated and published, but taken into account in policymaking? What are they key barriers to introducing beyond-GDP metrics and using them in decision-making? What are the key next steps for beyond-GDP measurement?"--
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