Crescimento econômico, perfil sociometabólico e performance ambiental: uma análise para o BRICS (1970-2017)

Abstract

This article is aimed at measuring the socio-metabolic profile of the countries known by the acronym BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Our main goal is to understand the dynamics of the biophysical evolution of these countries and its relationship with economic variables (mainly GDP). A socio-metabolism approach was used, which converges with ecological economics. We employ a material flow accounting to measure the metabolism of these economies in terms of materials and energy consumed. The results showed that in the period between 1970 and 2017, there was significant growth in the consumption of materials, which made the increase in BRICS' aggregate economy higher than the biophysical growth of the world economy. The data also showed that the BRICS' GDP grew faster than the material consumption growth in the analyzed period. This means that, in the aggregate, there was greater efficiency in the use of matter and energy. However, when looking at the individual results, it was noticed that Brazil – against the group's trend – presented a movement of material intensification of its economy.