In this interview, Felix Schulz and co-authors Vera Trappman from Leeds University Business School and Dennis Eversberg from Goethe‐Universität, Fachbereich highlight the most important findings with the new study.
What motivated the research?
In public discourse, labour unions – especially industrial ones – and environmental movements are often portrayed as being at odds with one another. At the same time, terms like “post-growth” and “degrowth” have become politically charged, making it difficult to have balanced, constructive conversations about the merits and limitations of alternative economic growth scenarios. With this research, we aimed to move beyond simplistic pro- or anti-growth statements.
We sought to understand:
a) the visions and ideas for societal change articulated by German trade unionists, and
b) how these visions align with, or diverge from, the proposals emerging from the post-growth discourse.
What are the most salient findings?
Our research shows that there are societal forces – including trade unions and post-growth advocates – that share similar goals for a socio-ecological transformation. Greater collaboration between them could strengthen democratic and participatory pathways toward a just and sustainable future.
Although German trade unions largely reject the terms “post-growth” and “degrowth,” we found significant overlap in the concrete goals and policy demands they share with the post-growth discourse. Despite unions’ official adherence to a green growth narrative, many interviewees articulated visions of a just future that resonate with post- or a-growth principles.
Union officials emphasised an economy that enables a “good life” and “good work,” built on co-determination, secure and well-paid jobs ensured by collective bargaining, and progressive reforms such as wealth, income, and inheritance taxation, along with a more active role for the state.
However, differences remain – particularly regarding the role of work, the future of industry, and how basic needs are defined. These divergences help explain unions’ skepticism toward post-growth framings, despite underlying commonalities.
Why is this research important?
German trade unions are deeply embedded in the country’s corporatist political system. They influence not only labour conditions through collective bargaining, but also public policy through institutionalised participation at the highest levels. This gives them significant power in shaping both social and climate policy.
Understanding the areas of convergence and divergence between trade unions and the post-growth movement can help identify potential avenues for alliance-building. Such coalitions could strengthen both actors' capacities to advocate for socially and ecologically just transformations, expanding their influence in critical policy arenas.
What are the prospects for degrowth in your view?
Speaking personally (not on behalf of my co-authors), I favour a growth-agnostic—or a-growth—approach. We are facing twin crises: ecological breakdown and deepening socio-economic inequality. Addressing both requires bold policy action. Whether such policies lead to higher or lower GDP growth is secondary.
What matters is that we build a future that drastically reduces carbon emissions, narrows social inequalities, and expands democratic participation – both in the workplace and beyond. Our research shows that such a vision is shared across movements. Strengthening red–green alliances will be essential to confronting entrenched interests opposed to meaningful change. More dialogue between labour unions and environmental movements is crucial, particularly on contested issues such as industrial policy and the future of work. There is genuine potential for mutual learning and collaboration.
