The Oldenburg economist and sustainability researcher Prof Dr Niko Paech has been awarded the ZEIT WISSEN Courage for Sustainability Prize in the "Knowledge" category. The prize is endowed with 10,000 euros.
Prof Dr Niko Paech, economist and sustainability researcher at the University of Oldenburg, has been awarded the ZEIT WISSEN "Courage for Sustainability" prize worth 10,000 euros in the "Knowledge" category. Paech received the award from Klaus Wiegandt, head of the Forum für Verantwortung foundation, and Andreas Sentker, publisher of ZEIT WISSEN magazine, last Thursday at the Sustainability Congress in Hamburg. Here, experts discussed the future of the "global commons".
"I am delighted to receive this award," said Paech. "For me, it is a great recognition of my work on the post-growth economy. But I also see the prize in general as a signal from the jury to strengthen anti-growth positions in sustainability research." He will use the prize money to support sustainability projects in the region.
Niko Paech has been an adjunct professor of "Production and Environment" at the University of Oldenburg since 2010 and Chair of the Association for Ecological Economics (VÖÖ). ZEIT WISSEN and the "Courage for Sustainability" initiative are honouring him with the award as a pioneer of the post-growth economy, an economy beyond the imperatives of economic growth. In his current book "Befreiung vom Überfluss" (Liberation from Abundance), Paech calls for consistent climate protection - which is only possible by reducing global mobility. In his research, Paech focusses on the structural change that is necessary for an economy without growth. He sees it as a move away from mere material prosperity towards a better quality of life.
A key factor for the jury was that Paech is not just a theorist, but seeks ways to put his ideas into practice. Paech is involved in various institutions such as the Oldenburg Energy Cooperative (OLEGNO), KOBE (Centre of Excellence for Building and Energy) and the Polygenos cooperative in his efforts to shape a sustainable economy. "Niko Paech is one of the shining lights in the post-growth debate worldwide," said Klaus Wiegandt, Chair of the jury, explaining the decision in favour of the Oldenburg scientist.
The ZEIT WISSEN "Courage for Sustainability" prize honours pioneers in the two categories "Knowledge" and "Action" who have made an outstanding contribution in the field of sustainable development. The members of the jury are Uta-Micaela Dürig (Robert Bosch GmbH), Prof. Dr Lenelis Kruse-Graumann (Heidelberg University), Dr h. c. August Oetker (Dr August Oetker KG), Martina Sandrock (iglo GmbH), Andreas Sentker (ZEIT WISSEN), Prof. Dr Friedrich von Borries (Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg), Dr Antje von Dewitz (VAUDE Sport GmbH & Co. KG) and Prof. Dr Harald Welzer (Stiftung Futurzwei and University of Flensburg).
