A framework to assess the comprehensive sustainability of human consumption and production: A case study of the Yangtze River Delta in China

Abstract

The environment plays a crucial role in human development and production. However, current research on responsible consumption and production goals (Sustainable Development Goal 12, SDG 12) lacks a specific emphasis on the environment. The development of an assessment frameworks is a key step in achieving SDG 12. Focusing on the theme rather than on a single target, this study constructs an assessment framework that incorporates ecological carrying, consumption saving, and socio-economy components from a system perspective. The commonality, sustainability, and fairness of human consumption and production were measured using the coupling coordination degree model, strong sustainability assessment model, and Gini coefficient, respectively. Taking the Yangtze River Delta as a case study, the framework was found to be effective in identifying the characteristics of comprehensive sustainability, as well as its commonality, sustainability, and fairness. From 2000 to 2018, the comprehensive sustainability in the Yangtze River Delta showed an increasing trend. However, in 2006 and 2007, the overuse of biological resources by individual cities resulted in a temporary decline in commonality and sustainability, affecting the continuous growth in the comprehensive sustainability of human consumption and production. The framework possesses guiding significance and a theoretical basis for effectively advancing the achievement of SDG 12.