Ensuring sustainable production and consumption models

Goal 12 is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, which are key to sustaining the livelihoods of present and future generations.

Our planet is running out of resources, but our population continues to grow. If the global population reaches 9.8 billion by 2050, it will take the equivalent of nearly three planets to provide the natural resources needed to sustain our current way of life.

Changing our consumption habits and shifting our energy supply to more sustainable sources is one of the key changes we must make if we are to reduce consumption. However, the global crisis has caused a resurgence in fossil fuel subsidies, which nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021.

We are seeing promising changes across industries, including a growing trend in sustainability reporting, with the number of sustainability reports published nearly tripling in just a few years, demonstrating a growing level of commitment and awareness that sustainability must be at the core of business.

Food waste is another symptom of overconsumption, and addressing food loss is urgent and requires dedicated, data-informed policies, as well as investment in technology, infrastructure, education and monitoring. A staggering 931 million tonnes of food is wasted each year, despite a large proportion of the global population going hungry.

Why do we need to change the way we consume?

The economic and social progress of the past century has been accompanied by environmental degradation that is endangering the very systems on which our future development and survival depend.

A successful transition will mean improving resource efficiency, considering the entire life cycle of economic activities and actively participating in multilateral environmental agreements.

What needs to change?

There are many aspects of consumption where simple changes can have a major impact on society as a whole.

Governments need to implement and enforce policies and regulations that include measures such as setting waste reduction targets, promoting circular economy practices, and supporting sustainable procurement policies.

The transition to a circular economy involves designing products that have a long lifespan, are repairable and recyclable. It also involves promoting activities such as reusing, refurbishing and recycling products to reduce waste and resource depletion.

Individuals can also adopt more sustainable lifestyles – this could include consuming less, choosing products with a lower environmental impact and reducing the carbon footprint of everyday activities.

How can I help as a business?

It is of concern to businesses to find new solutions that enable sustainable production and consumption patterns. There is a need to better understand the environmental and social impacts of products and services, both in terms of their life cycle and how they are affected by their use in lifestyles.

Innovative and design solutions can both support and inspire individuals to lead more sustainable lifestyles, reduce impact and improve wellbeing.

How can I help as a consumer?

There are two main ways to help:

Reduce your waste
Think carefully about what you buy and choose a sustainable option whenever possible.

Make sure you don’t throw away food and reduce your use of plastic – one of the major pollutants in our oceans. Carrying a reusable bag, refusing plastic straws and recycling plastic bottles are all good ways to do your part every day.

Conscious purchasing also helps. By buying from local and sustainable sources, you can make a difference and put pressure on businesses to adopt sustainable practices.