What are some ways economic growth (UN SDG 8) be maintained, while addressing the impact of overconsumption (UN SDG 13) on the climate?

Maintaining GDP without further degradation to the climate can be accomplished by framing climate change research, mitigation and adaptation within the context of post-COVID economic recovery. By investing in sustainable energy, fisheries, and aquaculture, the goal is to create more jobs and economic stability as we climb out of the pandemic in a way that won't be exploitative to our natural resources or marginalized communities.

These kinds of projects aim to transform the way in which we consume resources from one that is extractive to one that is sustainable. Governments have a unique opportunity after the pandemic to shift their priorities to a "blue/green economy." This puts the climate at the center of economic growth and development.

Weak women's rights and rampant discrimination around the world prohibit women from entering, feeling safe and being productive at the workplace. In many sectors in India, women are not even recognised for their labour in farms, unorganized sectors like handicrafts, and more. The systemic exclusion of women from the workplace and the lack of recognition of women's labour as 'actual' labour creates a huge gap between what the economy is today and what it potentially can be.

Furthermore, unorganized sectors in many Global South (developing) nations account for nearly half of the country's GDP, but only estimates are known while calculating GDP.

Our (over)consumption accounts for a large chunk of GDP growth in most middle and high income countries. If we were to drastically scale down our consumption but increase the opportunities and support for women in the labour market + have better organisation and measurement of currently unorganized sectors, we could definitely fill in the gap left behind and even exceed current growth rates.