Converging economic paradigms for a constructive environmental policy discourse

This paper argues that the vision of a fundamental clash between a Homo economicus self-interested perspective, dominant in neoclassical economics, and an environmental limit discourse and duty based perspective, central to ecological economics, is an ineffective route towards facilitating effective environmental policy. An evolution to refocus both perspectives towards finding a common ground faces intense resistance from entrenched positions. A conceptual exploration of the roots of such resistances is discussed and an alternative, but complimentary process that addresses the need for and process of a synthesis of conflicting approaches is proposed. As an exemplar of this argument, the Porter hypothesis is used as a guiding framework of how ecological economics as an action oriented paradigm can increase its influence as a policy guide avoiding confrontational policy contexts.