September 2026
Co-authored by PEP researchers and staff, this book draws on the research conducted as part of the Sustainability Performances, Evidence and Scenarios initiative.
PEP celebrates the publication of Navigating Transitions to Sustainable Human Development: Frameworks, Evidence and Policies, a new volume that introduces an innovative framework for Sustainable Human Development. It includes several chapters co-authored by PEP-affiliated researchers. It is an open access title, available to read, download and share on Elgaronline.com, edited by Mario Biggeri and Andrea Ferrannini of the University of Florence, Italy.
Based on research conducted under the Sustainability Performances, Evidence and Scenarios (SPES) initiative, the book highlights how “achieving a balance between human wellbeing and planetary boundaries requires moving beyond growth-focused horizons”. It explores what is needed for policy to support long-lasting structural change in European and Global South economies, to make the shift from unsustainable models towards more equitable and sustainable societies.
For the SPES initiative PEP joined a consortium of distinguished research and educational institutions from across Europe to produce evidence for policymaking that supports effective, sustainable human development. PEP brought a Global South perspective to the initiative.
Chapter 8, European and global climate policies: pursuing fairness and carbon neutrality in an increasingly fragmented world, draws from the work PEP led within the consortium to assess the possible impact of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on the Global South. The chapter discusses Europe’s measures aiming to decrease emissions and promote the green transition and their socio-economic risks alongside international climate strategies, and what can be done globally to meet climate goals. It is co-authored by PEP Director of Research Jorge Davalos, Resource Persons Martin Henseler and Hélène Maisonnave, and Researchers Afees Salisu and Idris Adediran.
“It has fuelled some debates,” said Davalos. “We were approached by people working on the CBAM redistribution effects. They were curious about our findings and were interested in PEP's perspectives.”
Davalos also contributed to Chapter 1: Sustainable human development paradigm and the book's roadmap, while PEP’s PEP Director of Engagement and Impact, Marjorie Alain, contributed to Chapter 10: Energy transition scenarios beyond technical feasibility.
