Realizing Sustainable Consumption and Production

An Institutional Economics Framework to Explore Sustainable Production and Consumption

Objective: Understand sustainable production and consumption from human needs. Its objectives are: to describe sustainable production from human needs, to explain the relationship between human needs and sustainable consumption Theoretical Framework: Main concepts and theories that support research from human needs and sustainable production and consumption are presented, finding strong relationships with ecological limits and circular economy, providing a solid basis to understand the context of the research. Method: Qualitative, documentary analysis technique and systematic analysis tool of the content of scientific documents according to prism declaration, grouping publications and compiling the most prominent concepts. Results and Discussion: For sustainable production based on human needs: socioeconomic, political and environmental factors, circular economy, sustainable production models and ecological limits; results for the relationship between human needs and sustainable consumption: motivators, patterns and determinants in purchasing behavior, promotion of responsible lifestyles and education for sustainable consumption. Research Implications: Sustainable production and consumption contribute to satisfying the needs of communities from the context and that the consumer and producer must recognize the limits of the planet and satisfiers which allow having a responsible lifestyle and that promote well-being. Originality/Value: Understand that although the need to be satisfied must be clear, it is essential to recognize its satisfaction from the environmental, social, and economic dimension. Its relevance lies in the relationship of elements found in the collected publications to visualize sustainable production and consumption as a strategy aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyles from the consumer's awareness, considering biophysical limits, social justice, and economic sustainability

The links between unsustainable consumption and the planet‘s environmental degradation are not new realizations, as they already underpinned the Club of Rome‘s ‘‘Limits to Growth Agenda 21’’ and the World Summit on sustainable development, but the urgency of climate change has fostered a renewed emphasis on finding a workable pathway towards sustainable consumption and production. Business as usual will lead to climate change that will not stabilize in the foreseeable future, possibly changing the capacity of the planet to support human life. The overarching hypothesis, which was emphasized at Rio ?10 Summit in Johannesburg, is that sustainable consumption can drive sustainable production and lead to structural changes in the world economy. Sustainable consumption by UNEP is defined as ‘‘the use of services and related products which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life-cycle so as not to jeopardize the needs of future generations’’. In theory, sustainable consumption, by definition should lead to sustainable production, as someone concerned with sustainable consumption would not wilingly consume a product that was produced unsustainably, or service that was delivered in an unsustainable way. At the same time, Sustainable Production is defined by the Lowell Center as ‘‘the creation of goods and services using processes and systems that are nonpolluting, conserve energy and natural resources, are economically efficient, are safe and healthy for workers, communities, and consumers, and are socially and creatively rewarding for all working people’’. A rational systems approach for improving the chances for a long-term human existence on earth was elaborated by Friedrich Bio Schmidt-Bleek. The approach is based on the simple idea:

This article examines rationale behind consumers’ vote for or against choice editing (reducing food choice) in favor of sustainable consumption to inform marketing communication strategies and sustainability policies. Based on a Qualitative analysis of free-text comments in a UK nationwide survey on sustainable healthy food consumption using inductive thematic analysis, we found that the majority (55.4%) disagreed with governments being given the right to minimize food choice options available to consumers by requesting that food industry players supply only sustainable food products whereas only 44.6% agreed with the idea. In-depth thematic analysis revealed that those who disagreed with it expressed the reasons to be “Freedom of choice”, “Individual choice to decide and responsibility”; “Producers to be encouraged to develop sustainable products”; “Need for education”; “Consumers have power”; “Consumers should be made to fund health conditions they develop from unhealthy food.”; “Government should fund production of sustainable foods”; and “this will lead to less competition within the market”. On the other hand, the agreement expressed by respondents gave reasons such as, “Food industry’s notorious for selling unhealthy food”; “Need to keep the price of sustainable products down.”; “Government should legislate.”; “All food sold should be whole natural food.”; “Retailers should produce more healthy food as obesity is a problem.”; “Healthy food is good for us.”; “Government’s obligation.”; and “GMO foods, foods grown using artificial methods, harm the environment and humans.” Our analysis revealed that change interventions have slowly reduced the pace of growth in the food industry, partially because of consumer awareness at a gradual rate. Moreover, sustainable food products are viewed as ineffective in the short run while market share for sustainable items remains substantially low. The implications of the results include inclusive policies for sustainable consumption, government intervention by making it mandatory to consume and produce sustainable items, accountability measures for food producers, the introduction of a rebate system for sustainable production, and the monitoring of food prices ensuring organic food is affordable to all.

Objective: The purpose of this research is to explore the switching intention of consumers from traditional technology and products - to sustainable technology and products while shedding light on important technology and product adoption constructs. Theoretical Framework: This research integrates the theory of UTAUT and consumer self-accountability in order to examine the switching intention of consumers from traditional technology and products - to green, eco-friendly and sustainable technology and products. Method: Convenience sampling and a questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed quantitatively with the help of multiple regression run in SPSS. A score of 0.9 in the Cronbach alpha test indicated that the scales and constructs in the questionnaire were valid. Results and Conclusion: The results suggest that self-accountability, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence significantly and positively impacts the switching intention of consumers towards sustainable technology and sustainable products. Implications of the research: Business and marketers can call attention to self-accountable behavior of people, which can have a positive impact towards the consumption of sustainable technologies and sustainable products. The focus on the performance and the ease of use of the sustainable technologies and sustainable products will help researchers and marketers immensely. Also this paper contributes positively to the societal goals of creating a sustainable economy. Originality/Value: This paper adds value to areas of research such as consumers switching intention, self-accountability, UTAUT, sustainability, environmental conscious consumer behavior, and sustainable consumption and decision making.

Purpose: This study investigates the mediating effect of Environmental Attachment (EA) among consumers in an emerging market, concentrating on the impact of two key factors: Green Environmental Awareness (GEA) and Sense of Responsibility (SOR) on Sustainable Product Consumption (SPC). Design/methodology/approach: A thorough online survey was carried out with Google Docs and distributed to 304 Pakistani consumers who now use or are considering purchasing sustainable or green products. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to rigorously test the suggested model utilizing a non-probability sampling technique, specifically the stratified purposive sampling approach. Findings: Green environmental awareness (GEA) and a sense of responsibility (SOR) have been shown to have a substantial impact on creating environmental attachment (EA) in both existing and potential customers of sustainable products. The findings of this study also revealed that environmental attachment (EA) plays an important role as a mediator in the links between green environmental awareness (GEA) and the consumption of sustainable goods (SPC), as well as between a sense of responsibility (SOR) and SPC. Despite this, it is crucial to note that the projected direct effect of GEA on SPC was shown to be statistically insignificant. This conclusion implies that additional factors outside the scope of this study may influence the relationship between GEA and SPC. Research limitations/implications: It is vital to highlight that the focus of this study is on an online sample of consumers near Punjab, Pakistan. Future studies should look at other parts of Pakistan to acquire a more complete picture of sustainable consumption trends. Furthermore, our findings suggest that characteristics impacting sustainable consumption, such as Green Environmental Awareness (GEA) and Sense of Responsibility (SOR), may differ among countries. As a result, performing a comparison analysis involving two or more countries could provide valuable insights into projecting sustainable product consumption among current and potential sustainable product customers. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by investigating the factors of sustainable consumption using the lens of the Norm Activation Model theory (NAM), notably Green Environmental Awareness (GEA) and Sense of Responsibility (SOR), to predict sustainable product consumption. The findings are important for promoting long-term goals in Pakistan and provide a framework that can be applied in other emerging markets.

Upskilling is a prevailing trend in the workplace that provides employees with updated and advanced training programs and opportunities to enhance their skills and bridge skill gaps. Sustainable consumption and production patterns and green CSR practices are pervasive in Indian MSMEs to become a greener economy. The consumer demand for sustainable products is visible across the globe, creating opportunities for Indian MSMEs in the international marketplace. In light of this fact, the present research article aims to analyze the current gap in past studies concerning MSMEs by investigating the correlation between sustainability practices, specifically with respect to sustainable consumption and production patterns, green CSR initiatives, and the performance of MSMEs. This study aims to examine various viewpoints on MSMEs' sustainable business practices, which are a) how sustainable consumption impacts the efficiency of MSMEs, b) the influence of sustainable production patterns on MSMEs' performance, and c) the impact on the efficiency of MSMEs' operations as a result of CSR activities.A self-structured questionnaire has been sent to the MSMEs' owners, managers, directors, and administrative officers through email to conduct the research work. In addition, a structural Equation Model (SEM) was used to sample 130 Indian MSMEs. The study's main findings are that the sustainable consumption and production patterns of skill-based CSR practices impact the efficiency of MSMEs in India. It has also been discovered that their sustainable practices are generating global market opportunities. This study has important implications for MSME owners and policymakers because applying sustainable consumption and production patterns and implementing skill-based CSR practices as sustainable strategies will create a greener economy and positively impact the performance of MSMEs.

In this age of environmental catastrophe, if we want to maintain the balance of the world, we have no choice but to play a leading role in ensuring sustainable consumption and production. Thus, this study attempts to understand people's knowledge and perception towards the sustainable consumption and the factors associated with people's willingness to choose the sustainable consumption related to the sustainable development issue to help formulate long-term policy for the sustainable consumption, production and marketing in Bangladesh. Out of 220 sample respondents, 64.9% were found to be willing to choose the sustainable consumption, whereas the remaining 35.1% were rejected to accept the sustainable consumption. The results of the study have shown that the socio-economic characteristics were significantly associated with the readiness to choose sustainable consumption decisions and also reported that the respondents' knowledge, perceptions and attitudes were significantly associated with the decision to choose sustainable consumption. The survey also found that a high rate of people considered sustainable production and marketing is essential for ensuring sustainable consumption. Therefore, a policy designed to relate to sustainable consumption, production and marketing in Bangladesh needs to take into account these factors to make it more effective.

Education and Outreach: Introduction.- Blueprints for Teaching Ecodesign and Sustainability to University Students.-Ecodesign in Swiss Machining Industry: A Collaborative Learning Process for Effective Outreach and Education.- Implementing New Teaching Models at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.- Teaching Old Disciplines New Tricks: Sustainable Engineering Education.- Youth Encounter on Sustainability: A Transdisciplinary, Multicultural, and Immersive Education Program.- Transdisciplinary Approaches to Engineering R&D: Importance of Understanding Values and Culture.- Sustainable Water: Introduction.- Chlorine Self-Production Plant Solution for Effluent Water to be Used in Irrigation in Gaza Strip.- Fundamental Toxicology Methods and Resources for Assessing Water-related Contamination.- Micro Hydro in Emergency Situations: A Sustainable Energy Solution at La Realidad (Chiapas,Mexico).- Groundwater Contamination: Role of health sciences in tackling.- Sustainable Earth System Engineering: Incentives and Perspectives.- Sustainable Rehabilitation ofWater Infrastructures in Southern Iraq After the Second GulfWar.- SustainableWater Management in Response to Global Changes.- Sustainable Production and Sustainable Products: Introduction.- Ecodesign Strategies: A Missing Link in Ecodesign.- Environmental Quality Function Deployment for Sustainable Products.- Green PCB Manufacturing Technologies.- Eco-Packaging Development: Integrated Design Approaches.- Material Flow Cost Accounting: Significance and Practical Approach.- Product Life Cycle Assessment (PLCA) and Product Carbon Footprint (PCF).- Remanufacturing.- Reuse of Components and Products: Qualified as Good as New.- Supply Chain Management for Sustainability.- Sustainable Design by Systematic Innovation Tools (TRIZ, CAI, SI, and Biomimetics).- Sustainable Product Design and Development: TPI-Based Idea Generation Method for Eco-Business Planning and Eco-Product Development.- Structural Complexity Management in Sustainable Engineering.- Sustainable Production: Eco-efficiency of Manufacturing Process.- Product Service Systems and Sustainable Consumption Toward Sustainability: Introduction.- Advanced Japanese Service Design: From Elements to Relations.- Design for Sustainability (DfS): Interface of Sustainable Production and Consumption.- Engineering PSS (Product/Service Systems) Toward Sustainability: Review of Research.- Eco-business Planning: Idea Generation Method.- Life Cycle Simulation for Sustainable Product Service Systems.- Modeling Services and Service-Centered PSS Design.- Product Design Considerations for Improved Integrated Product/Service Offerings.- Sustainable Consumption.- Sustainable Design Engineering: Design as a Key Driver in Sustainable Product and Business Development.- Sustainable PSS in Automotive Industry.- Policy and Decision-Making, and Management for Sustainable Engineering: Introduction.- Sustainable Technology Development: Backcasting and Scenarios.- Changing Energy Demand Behavior: Potential of Demand-Side Management.- Engineers and Community: How Sustainable Engineering Depends on Engineers' Views of People.- Impact of New Technologies: How to Assess the Intended and Unintended Effects of New Technologies?.- Life Cycle Thinking for Improved Resource Management: LCA or ?.- New BusinessModels for Sustainable Development.- Strategies for Sustainable Technologies: Innovation in Systems, Products, and Services.- Successful Contextual Technology Transfer and Determinants of Culture.- Energy Sources of the Future: Introduction.- Biomass Energy Field.- Energy from Water.- Ensuring Sustainability of Bioenergy in Practice.- Geothermal Energy.- Renewability of Energy Resources, Energy Vectors, and Energy Technologies forMobility.- Solar Energy: Harvesting the Sun's Energy for Sustainable Future.- Wind.- New Materials: Introduction.- Advanced Energy Devices: Lithium Ion Battery and High Energy Capacitor.- Advanced Materials for Fuel Cells.- Alternative Materials Development Utilizing Advanced Nanotechnology.- Biopolymers for Environmental Applications: Highly Functional Polylactic Acid Composites Used for Durable Products.- Computational Materials Science and Computer-aided Materials Design and Processing.- Mechanisms of Organisms as Environmentally Friendly Materials Design Tools.- Thermodynamics and Resource Consumption: Concepts,Methodologies, and the Case of Copper

The article discusses principal issues related to lean production and consumption, providing the author's perspective on the factors and initiatives necessary for their implementation. The paper emphasizes the importance of each stakeholder's role in sustainable development. The agricultural market is analyzed, and general steps for implementing a Sustainable Development Strategy are proposed, including simulations of sales and pricing policies after the introduction of sustainable development aspects. With the world's population growing and resources declining, there is a need to meet increasing demand while also conserving water resources, agricultural land, and promoting environmentally friendly labour practices. To achieve this, countries must adopt innovative approaches to responsible consumption and sustainable production, particularly considering the socio-economic impact of COVID-19. Therefore, it is essential to develop an innovative model of sustainable consumption and production. COVID-19 has become a catalyst for socio-economic change, highlighting the adaptability of countries to change and the necessity for effective restoration and implementation of sustainable production and consumption models. This article explores the management of responsible consumption and sustainable production enterprises in the context of glocalization. It analyses the impact of global trends and local contexts on businesses striving for sustainable development. The article emphasizes the role of leadership, strategic planning, and the implementation of effective management practices in achieving these goals. The authors examine various models and approaches to managing responsible consumption and sustainable production, including concepts of green manufacturing, circular economy, and corporate social responsibility. They consider advanced practices and initiatives in these areas that are already successfully implemented by large and small enterprises. The article also investigates the influence of glocalization on enterprise management. Glocalization is defined as the convergence of global and local factors influencing businesses. It highlights the need for enterprises to adapt their strategies and operations to the specific cultural, social, and environmental contexts in which they operate, while also addressing global challenges related to responsible consumption and sustainable production.

The Political Economy of (Un)Sustainable Production and Consumption: A Multidisciplinary Synthesis for Research and Action

Transitions to sustainable consumption and production in cities

This paper presents a novel multidimensional conceptual framework for achieving sustainable consumption and production. The paper adopts a qualitative approach through literature and theoretical reviews. The paper argues that while current research on SCP is dominated by a market-oriented philosophical configuration, the quest for sustainability has to integrate non-market considerations, which drives consumerism. After exploring the theoretical dimensions and the literature review, the paper leans on these to develop a new framework, which this paper refers to as 'multidimensional framework for sustainable consumption and production'; this is followed by a proposal of five new research models for further researching of sustainable sourcing of materials, sustainable production, sustainable consumption, sustainable distribution and sustainable waste management. The suggested framework and the five models provide new insight for improved policy and practice. This paper contributes new framework and models, which is absent in the literature.

The 12th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. One of the ways that countries worldwide are making strides in aligning with the SDGs is through entrepreneurship education. Exploiting opportunities and resources is the function of entrepreneurs, but they must recognise their role in environmental protection through their production practices. It is not only the present that they should focus on the survival of the generations to come. The current entrepreneurship education primarily emphasises profit, innovation, and creativity, neglecting sustainability. Nevertheless, educational institutions have a role to play in imparting knowledge, skills, and training for sustainable consumption and production. In this study, descriptive statistics were employed to analyse a group of eighty final-year undergraduate students from various colleges in Meghalaya. From the review and the analysis, notably, it was found that the entrepreneurship curriculum in Meghalaya lacks sustainability content. This paper aims to assess students' understanding of entrepreneurship, sustainability and advocate a new paradigm for its inclusion in the curriculum. A shift in entrepreneurship education programs toward sustainability will benefit students by giving them exposure to the concept of sustainable consumption and sustainable production, and hence, stimulate confidence and enrich their performance in their future entrepreneurial journey.

COVID-19 challenges to sustainable food production and consumption: Future lessons for food systems in eastern and southern Africa from a gender lens.