Co-operatives and the Green Economy [Review Article]

This review looks at three publications focusing on the Green Economy and Green economics that span the last decade from Milani’s treatise on a post-industrial paradigm, taking in Cato’s exploration of origins and development of green economics, to Hahnel’s specific focus on ecological crisis. As one might expect, while all three identify as green economists, each offers a different perspective on the development and focus of their discipline and beliefs. Together they combine to give an engaging, thoughtful and at times provocative account of the place and relevance of green economics. It is not possible to give a full and just appreciation of the depth and breadth of historical analysis and argument offered in each, but it is worth giving a brief foray into the methodological and philosophical principles that underpin some of the practical solutions offered by the authors, before looking specifically at their inclusion of co‑operation and co-operative enterprise. I start with the caveat that I am not and never have been a green economist.