Published 2024-12-16
Keywords
- ecological transition,
- demographic aging,
- sustainability,
- social policies,
- elderly inclusion
Copyright (c) 2024 Guido Lazzarini, Maria Giuseppina Lucia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
The literature on the ecological transition often overlooks the relationship with demographic aging. Thus, it is crucial to address this issue because achieving sustainability requires not only environmental regeneration but also the inclusion of the elderly, who currently represent a significant segment of the global population. In the light of these changes, sustainability goals must consider challenges posed by an aging population within ecological transition policies. This paper aims to examine how social policies and environmental programs can be integrated to meet the needs of an aging demographic while fostering sustainability. To tackle these themes, we will analyse the specific challenges related to demographic aging in the context of the ecological transition, followed by the discussion on the opportunities that the elderly can provide.
References
- Afridi, S. A., Khan, W., Haider, M., Shahjehan, A., & Afsar, B. (2021). Generativity and green purchasing behavior: Moderating role of man-nature orientation and perceived behavioral control. SAGE Open, 11(4), 215824402110544.
- Albalate, D., Bel, G., & Teixidó, J. J. (2023). The influence of population aging on global climate policy. Population and Environment, 45(3), 1-34.
- Amorós, J., Leporati, M., Torres-Martin, A. J., & Roses, S. (2024). Opportunity entrepreneurship after 65: Relevant factors in OECD countries. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 20, 1215-1244.
- Bosia, D., Zhang, Y., Thiebat, F., & Savio, L. (2017). Age-friendly cities: public and private space. TECHNE-Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment, 319-327.
- Bülow, M., & Söderquist, T. (2014). Successful ageing: A historical overview and critical analysis of a successful concept. Journal of Ageing Studies, 31, 139-149.
- Butler, R. N. (2009). The longevity revolution: Benefits and challenges of living a long life. Public Affairs.
- Chen, P. W., Chen, L. K., Huang, H. K., & Loh, C. H. (2022). Productive aging by environmental volunteerism: A systematic review. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 98, 104563.
- Cumming, E., & Henry, W. E. (1961). Growing old: The process of disengagement. Basic Books.
- De Caria, R. (2021). Il principio della solidarietà tra generazioni tra mutualizzazione dei debiti e divieto di finanziamento monetario. Rivista Associazione Italiana dei Costituzionalisti, 3, 120-140.
- De Donder, L., Buffel, T., De Witte, N., Dury, S., & Vert, D. (2013). Perceptual quality of neighbourhood design and feelings of unsafety. Ageing & Society, 33, 917–937.
- Di Fabio, A., & Svicher, A. (2023). The eco-generativity scale (EGS): A new resource to protect the environment and promote health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(15), 6474.
- Dikken, J., Kazak, J. K., Soebarto, V., & van Hoof, J. (2023). Views of older people on environmental sustainability: The development of SustainABLE-16 questionnaire. Building and Environment, 242, 1-11.
- Dommaraju, P., & Wong, S. (2021). The concept of productive aging. In Assessments, treatments and modeling in aging and neurological disease (pp. 3-11). Academic Press.
- European Environment Agency (2023). Investments in the sustainability transition: leveraging green industrial policy against emerging constraints. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/investments-into-the-sustainability-transition.
- European Union. (2024). Shape the EU as we know it. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/ro/shaping-the-eu-as-we-know-it-the-lisbon-treaty/
- Eurostat. (2020). Ageing Europe - Looking at the lives of older people in the EU. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
- Fasbender, U., Gerpott, F. H., & Unger, D. (2021). Give or take? Knowledge exchange between older and young employees as a function of generativity and development striving. Journal of Knowledge Management, 25(10), 2420-2443.
- Fengler, W. (2021). The silver economy is coming of age: A look at the growing spending power of seniors. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-silver-economy-is-coming-of-age-a-look-at-the-growing-spending-power-of-seniors/
- Foster, L., & Walker, A. (2021). Active ageing across the life course: Towards a comprehensive approach to prevention. BioMed Research International, 2021, 6650414.
- Frumkin, H., Fried, L., & Moody, R. (2012). Aging, climate change, and legacy thinking. American Journal of Public Health, 102(8), 1434–1438.
- Gargiulo, C. (2021). Saggio introduttivo. In G. Carpentieri, F. Gaglione, C. Guida, F. Sgambati, & F. Zucaro (Eds.), Smart city, urban planning for a sustainable future. City and governance. Univ. Federico II, Napoli.
- Hervé, C., & Mullet, E. (2009). Age and factors influencing consumer behaviour. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 33(3), 235-357.
- Lazzarini, G., Ghidella, R., & Cugno, A. (2015). Un nuovo patto sociale. Ed. Vaticana.
- Lazzarini, G. (Ed.). (2022). Domiciliarità e/o residenzialità per il benessere degli anziani non autosufficienti. Marcianum Press.
- Lucia, M. G., Epasto, S., & Bollani, L. (2023). L’attrattività territoriale per la popolazione anziana. In S. Valdemarin & M. G. Lucia (Eds.), Geografia dell’attrattività territoriale. Comprendere e gestire lo sviluppo locale (pp. 81-92). Pearson.
- Lucia, M. G., & Epasto, S. (in press). Invecchiamento demografico: Da fattore frenante a stimolo di sviluppo dell’economia. Bollettino della Società Geografica Italiana.
- Ludovico, G. (2019). La solidarietà intergenerazionale nel sistema pensionistico: Fascino e limiti di un principio necessario. Diritto delle Relazioni Industriali, 28(1), 28-57.
- Marston, H. R., & van Hoof, J. (2019). Who doesn’t think about technology when designing urban environments for older people? A case study approach to a proposed extension of the WHO’s age-friendly cities model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19), 35-25.
- Memini, F. (2021). La teoria del disimpegno: la vita sociale. Retrieved October 13, 2024, from Aging Project Uniupo website: https://www.agingproject.uniupo.it/per-i-professionisti/teorie-invecchiamento/la-teoria-del-disimpegno/
- Milfont, T. L., & Sibley, C. G. (2011). Exploring the concept of environmental generativity. International Journal of Hispanic Psychology, 4(1), 21-30.
- Peterson, E. W. F. (2017). The role of population in economic growth. SAGE Open, 7(4), 215824401773609.
- Pillemer, K., Cope, M. T., & Nolte, J. (2021). Older people and action on climate change: A powerful but underutilized resource. HelpAge International, 1-13.
- Ramia, I., & Voicu, M. (2022). Life satisfaction and happiness among older Europeans: The role of active ageing. Social Indicators Research, 160(2), 667-687.
- Rothschild & Co. (2023). Thematic insights: The silver economy. Retrieved October 13, 2024, from https://www.rothschildandco.com/en/newsroom/insights/2023/01/thematic-insights-the-silver-economy/
- Singh, S.D. (2011), A study of consumer behaviour of older consumers with reference to green products. Journal of International of Management & Information Systems,15(4),101-104.
- Scott, A. (2024). Longevity revolution. Retrieved October 13,2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/new-scientist/vol/262/issue/3485
- Smyer, M. A., & Pachana, N. A. (2019). Older adults and environmental voluntarism. In Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging (pp. 1–6). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
- Tonn, B.E., Waidle, G., & Petrich C (2001). The ageing US population and environmental policy. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 44(6), 851-876.
- UNDESA (2023). Leaving no one behind in an ageing world. Retrived October 13, 2024 from https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/undesa_pd_2023_wsr-fullreport.pdf
- van Hoof, J., Marston, H. R., Kazak, J. K., & Buffel, T. (2021). Ten questions concerning age-friendly cities and communities and the built environment. Building and environment, 199, 107922.
- Wahl,H.W., Iwarson, S., & Oswald, F. (2012). Ageing well and the environment: toward an integrative model and research agenda for the future. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22419248/
- Waidley, B.E. & Petrich, C. (2001). The ageing US population and environmental policy. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 44(6), 851-876.
- Wang, J., Cao, S., Yu, & C. W. (2021 ). Development trend and challenges of sustainable urban design in the digital age. Indoor Built Environ. 30(1), 3–6.
- Wang, X., & Lo, K. (2021). Just transition: A conceptual review. Energy Research & Social Science, 82(102291), 102291.
- Wang, Y., Hao, F., & Liu, Y. (2021). Pro-environmental behavior in an aging world: Evidence from 31 countries. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4).
- WHO (2008). Global age friendly cities: a guide. Retrieved October 13, 2024, from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241547307.
- WHO (2010). About Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Comminities. https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/who-network/
- Zeng, J. (2024). The impact of population aging on business innovation: a comprehensive overview. Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(6), 363–367.