The Challenge of Sustainable Consumption for Governance and Policy Development—A Systematic Review

Vivienne Byers,Alan Gilmer

doi:10.3390/su13126723

Abstract

The modern industry discourse on sustainability is the idea of ‘green growth’, which is described as the paradox of the continuation of increased economic growth, at the same time as increasing sustainability. Policy makers face the challenge of how to encourage and sustain appropriate levels of individual behavioural change to manage consumption in a changing environment. In addressing this challenge, this study seeks to move beyond discrete elements of human consumption behaviour and develop a better understand of the wider inputs including culture, societal norms, institutions and governance. The research methodology adopted uses a systematic literature review approach coupled with thematic analysis. The study presents a new understanding of the interrelatedness of consumption policy, social structures, and the boundary arrangements of governance. What emerges is a focus on the role of governance and societal context in influencing outcomes. A fundamental output of the study is the designation of 27 evidence-based principles of change. These principles represent a new framework: the Governance and Sustainable Policy Development (GSPD) framework or ‘Road Map’, designed to guide decision making and aid the understanding of what motivates individuals and institutions within a wider neo-liberal societal system to manage their consumption from a more sustainable policy and governance perspective.

Highlights

Improving the sustainable behaviour of communities and individuals through informed public and social policy has never been direct or clear, the need for such change has never been greater [1]
What societal dynamics drive consumption behaviour and how is environmental sustainability integrated into the decision-making process at a governance, institutional, community and individual levels?; What intrinsic and extrinsic dimensions of society control sustainable behaviour and decision making at the individual, institutional, community and governance levels?; What is the most effective approach to the design of strategies, policies, initiatives, programmes and plans that can advance individual and societal behaviour and institutional and governance systems towards a more environmentally sustainable state?
What societal dynamics drive consumption behaviour and how is environmental sustainability integrated into the decision-making process at a governance, institutional, community and individual level?;

Summary

Introduction

Improving the sustainable behaviour of communities and individuals through informed public and social policy has never been direct or clear, the need for such change has never been greater [1]. There is a need to gain a better understanding of individual values and motivations that influence sustainable consumption behaviour. Policy makers seek to gain a better understanding of these everyday consumption practices of consumers in order to reduce overall environmental impact in areas such as CO2 transport emissions or energy consumption [7]. These consumption processes are nested within societal values and systems influencing both intrinsic as well as extrinsic motivation, in terms of citizen empowerment, governance and sustainable policy development

Objectives

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion