Abstract
This review paper examines the past, present, and future of sustainable consumption and production (SCP). The history of the Sustainable Development Goal No. 12 (i.e., to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns) is presented and analyzed. A definition of the sustainable consumption is given and the role of education is explained. The present status and existing trends of SCP are introduced by analyzing unsustainable behavior and the existing dilemma, namely sustainable growth or degrowth. A very broad range of methods is used for measuring and evaluating SCP within sustainable development. To forecast the future of SCP, important trends are presented. The future development of SCP will follow several megatrends and it will require reduced personal and collective consumption (degrowth). Energy usage in buildings, renewable energy sources, and energy storage will be important in that respect. Transportation emissions will continue to be lowered. Waste, especially food waste, shall be reduced, and consumer products shall become more durable. All waste must be collected and separated to be reused. SPC is elaborated in view of the two approaches—Industry 4.0 (smart factory), and the “Sixth Wave” evolution. Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, resource efficiency, and zero waste will be at the forefront of future activities. A circular economy requires extension of product lifetimes, and the reuse and recycling of products. Reducing emissions, pollution and specific energy, water, and raw material usage (especially critical raw materials), as well as the role of digitalization, will be important.
Highlights
Three decades after the Rio conference, several United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) bodies, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have expressed their anxiety regarding the results achieved with respect to sustainable development (SD) in general and sustainable consumption and production (SCP) in particular
The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 (WSSD) reaffirmed that “fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development” [16]. This was followed by the initiation of the Marrakech Process in 2003, which “developed various mechanisms, including regional consultations, Task Forces, and dialogues with different stakeholders, in order to refine the concept of SCP and to show how it could be made operational in very different countries, economic sectors and cultural contexts” [30]
It aims to stimulate the creation of critical individuals who can see the relationship between socio-environmental crisis and current production and consumption patterns, and who are prepared to build a better world based on the principles of ethics, environmental sustainability, and social justice
Summary
Three decades after the Rio conference, several United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) bodies, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have expressed their anxiety regarding the results achieved with respect to sustainable development (SD) in general and SCP in particular. According to the GlobeScan-SustainAbility survey [1], experts are critical about achievements in Global Goal 12 in society. 59% as poor (1 + 2) while it ranks 2nd within the most urgent goals (after climate action). The progress since 2017 is below the average (10th out of the 17 SDGs) and is ranked 12th based on mean score
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