Goal : Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
The planet provides us with a natural abundance of resources. However due to a mismanagement or irresponsible utilization of resources, our consumption goes far beyond the capacity of the planet.
According to estimates, the global material footprint has grown from 73.2 billion tons in 2010 to 85.9 billion tons in 2017. The world continues to use natural resources unsustainably as the fossil fuel subsidies and electronic waste continue to rise.
Hence, it is necessary to adopt a methodology that allows us to use and produce in sustainable ways, to reverse the harm inflicted on the environment.
Why is responsible consumption and production important?
Increases net welfare gains from economic activities by reducing resource use, degradation, and pollution, while increasing the quality of life.
Important for creating more efficient production and supply chains.
Contributes to achieving food security, shifting us towards a more resource efficient economy.
The eleven targets to create action for responsible consumption and production, are as follows :
Implement the 10-year sustainable consumption and production framework
Sustainable management and use of natural resources
Halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains
Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle
Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and sustainability reporting
Promote sustainable public procurement practices
Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Support developing countries' scientific and technological capacity for sustainable consumption and production
Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
Remove market distortions that encourage wasteful consumption