TITLE:
On the Myth of Green Economies Being Always a Win-Win: Reconciling Growth, Sustainability and Justice
AUTHORS:
Cecilia Sen-Sze Lo, Edward Chi-Fai Lo
KEYWORDS:
Green Economy, Green Growth, Transformative Green Economy, Greenwashing
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.1,
December
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: The green economy is often portrayed as a win-win solution that reconciles economic growth with environmental sustainability. However, this narrative is increasingly contested, especially within the framework of capitalist market systems. This paper critically examines two dominant pathways toward a green economy—green growth and transformative green economy (TGE)—to assess whether green economies truly deliver win-win outcomes. Drawing on recent literature, case studies such as Shein’s greenwashing practices and Germany’s Energiewende, and long-term policy implications, the paper argues that while green economies hold promise, they are not inherently equitable or sustainable without structural reforms and robust governance.