Paul Ekins
Encyclopedia
Paul Ekins is a prominent British
academic in the field of sustainable economics. He is a former member of the Green Party.
) in the 1970s and 80s. He left in 1986 after controversy over reforms he and others were promoting to streamline Green Party structures. This group, known as 'Maingreen', was seen as a forerunner of the moves to reform the party’s internal structures by a later group known as Green 2000
.
In 1996, he set up Forum for the Future
with Sara Parkin
and Jonathon Porritt
. The Forum says: “When Paul Ekins set up the Sustainable Economy Unit as part of Forum for the
Future back in 1996, he argued that ‘many of today’s environmental problems
are really economic problems in disguise, and getting the economics right lies
at the heart of any solutions agenda.’ He aimed ‘to show that radical moves
towards environmental sustainability are compatible with prosperity’.
This remains a central part of Forum’s mission.”
From 2000 to 2008, he worked as head of the Environment group at the Policy Studies Institute
.
He is also a specialist adviser to the Environmental Audit Select Committee
of the British House of Commons
. He is a Member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. In 1994, Ekins received a UN Environment Programme Global 500 Award ”for outstanding environmental achievement”.
Since 2003, he has been the chair of the UK judging panel for the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy
.
. He became Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Westminster
, in October 2002. His academic work is focused on the conditions and policies for achieving an environmentally sustainable economy.
His contributions include work on the conceptualisation and measurement of environmental sustainability, the adjustment of the national accounts to take account of environmental impacts, environmental taxes and ecological tax reform, and environment and trade.
He has written or edited six books. His most recent work is Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability: the Prospects for Green Growth (Routledge, London, 2000).
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
academic in the field of sustainable economics. He is a former member of the Green Party.
Political career
Ekins was a prominent member of the UK Green Party (now the Green Party of England and WalesGreen Party of England and Wales
The Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including...
) in the 1970s and 80s. He left in 1986 after controversy over reforms he and others were promoting to streamline Green Party structures. This group, known as 'Maingreen', was seen as a forerunner of the moves to reform the party’s internal structures by a later group known as Green 2000
Green 2000
Green 2000 was a movement to streamline the constitutional arrangements of the Green Party of England and Wales in the early 1990s, with the stated aim of getting a Green government by the year 2005.-Overview:...
.
Career after politics
Ekins has been a prominent green academic in the field of sustainable economics. He has also worked as a consultant.In 1996, he set up Forum for the Future
Forum for the Future
Forum for the Future is a British non-profit organisation with a mission to promote sustainable development. Its vision is of "businesses and communities thriving in a future that’s environmentally sustainable and socially just". It runs partnerships with more than 90 organisations across business...
with Sara Parkin
Sara Parkin
Sara Parkin is a former Green Party of England and Wales activist and politician. She rose to prominence during and after the 1989 European election, in which the Green Party received 15% of the vote...
and Jonathon Porritt
Jonathon Porritt
Jonathon Espie Porritt, CBE, is an English environmentalist and writer. Porritt appears frequently in the media, writing in magazines, newspapers and books, and appearing on radio and television regularly.-Early life and family background:...
. The Forum says: “When Paul Ekins set up the Sustainable Economy Unit as part of Forum for the
Future back in 1996, he argued that ‘many of today’s environmental problems
are really economic problems in disguise, and getting the economics right lies
at the heart of any solutions agenda.’ He aimed ‘to show that radical moves
towards environmental sustainability are compatible with prosperity’.
This remains a central part of Forum’s mission.”
From 2000 to 2008, he worked as head of the Environment group at the Policy Studies Institute
Policy Studies Institute
The Policy Studies Institute is a British think-tank. It was formed in 1978 through the merger of the former Centre for the Study of Social Policy and Political and Economic Planning. Since 1998 it has been an independent subsidiary of the University of Westminster...
.
He is also a specialist adviser to the Environmental Audit Select Committee
Environmental Audit Select Committee
The Environmental Audit Select Committee is a select committee of the House of Commons in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The remit of the committee is to examine how government department's policies and programmes will affect both the environment and sustainable development.-Membership:As of...
of the British House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
. He is a Member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. In 1994, Ekins received a UN Environment Programme Global 500 Award ”for outstanding environmental achievement”.
Since 2003, he has been the chair of the UK judging panel for the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy
Ashden Awards
The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are annual awards given by a charity of the same name that is based in London. They reward local sustainable energy projects in the UK and developing countries that protect the environment, and improve quality of life....
.
Academic career
Paul Ekins took a Ph.D. in economics at Birkbeck, University of LondonBirkbeck, University of London
Birkbeck, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It offers many Master's and Bachelor's degree programmes that can be studied either part-time or full-time, though nearly all teaching is...
. He became Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
, in October 2002. His academic work is focused on the conditions and policies for achieving an environmentally sustainable economy.
His contributions include work on the conceptualisation and measurement of environmental sustainability, the adjustment of the national accounts to take account of environmental impacts, environmental taxes and ecological tax reform, and environment and trade.
He has written or edited six books. His most recent work is Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability: the Prospects for Green Growth (Routledge, London, 2000).
See also
- Green Party of England and WalesGreen Party of England and WalesThe Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including...
- Forum for the FutureForum for the FutureForum for the Future is a British non-profit organisation with a mission to promote sustainable development. Its vision is of "businesses and communities thriving in a future that’s environmentally sustainable and socially just". It runs partnerships with more than 90 organisations across business...
- Policy Studies InstitutePolicy Studies InstituteThe Policy Studies Institute is a British think-tank. It was formed in 1978 through the merger of the former Centre for the Study of Social Policy and Political and Economic Planning. Since 1998 it has been an independent subsidiary of the University of Westminster...