Final answer:
The feature most likely to characterize a sustainable growth economy is the inclusion of externalities in the price of consumer goods, encouraging the alignment of market prices with environmental and social costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic that would most likely represent a sustainable growth economy is c) Inclusion of externalities in the price of consumer goods. By accounting for externalities, which are the costs of economic activities that are not reflected in the market prices but are borne by society at large, such as pollution, sustainable growth is encouraged. Inclusion of external costs helps to align individual consumption and production choices with the broader social and environmental impacts, leading to a more sustainable economy.
Energy efficiency and economic well-being are often linked, with higher GDP per capita correlating to increased energy use. However, to promote sustainable growth, there must be a decoupling of economic activity from energy intensity, meaning the economy needs to grow without proportionally increasing energy consumption or environmental damage. It seems evident that a move toward less energy-intensive activities, improved human capital, technological innovation, and the realignment of economic policies to support environmental protection can steer economies toward more sustainable paths.