Sustainable consumption and production (SCP) is at the core of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically addressed by SDG 12. This goal aims to "ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns," acting as a cross-cutting theme that feeds into other SDGs such as those related to climate change, poverty, health, and sustainable cities.
SCP involves using services and products in a way that minimizes environmental damage, preserves natural resources, and promotes social equity. The purpose is to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, which means pursuing economic development in a way that can be sustained by the planet over the long term. SCP requires changes at all levels of society, from individuals to businesses to governments.
At the individual level, SCP implies making lifestyle choices that reduce environmental impact. This might include reducing, reusing, and recycling waste, choosing products with less packaging, and opting for more sustainable forms of transport like cycling or public transport.
For businesses, SCP entails adopting sustainable business models and practices. This could include improving resource efficiency, investing in renewable energy, designing products that are durable and recyclable, and ensuring fair labor practices.
At the government level, SCP involves implementing policies that support sustainable business practices and incentivize sustainable consumer behavior. This might involve regulations to reduce pollution, subsidies for renewable energy, and campaigns to raise awareness about sustainable consumption.
SCP also plays a role in several other SDGs. For example, sustainable production practices can help mitigate climate change (SDG 13) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, by reducing the pressure on natural resources, SCP supports the goals related to life below water (SDG 14) and life on land (SDG 15).
While progress has been made in certain areas, challenges remain in achieving the shift towards SCP. These include existing patterns of overconsumption, limited awareness about the impacts of consumption, and the need for technological innovation to enable more sustainable production.
International Day of Zero Waste 2025: Tackling Waste for a Sustainable Future
Observed annually on March 30, the International Day of Zero Waste promotes global efforts to address the waste crisis and advance sustainable production and consumption practices. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022, this observance highlights solutions for resource recovery, reducing pollution, and protecting both human and environmental health.
Addressing the Waste Crisis
World Wildlife Day 2025: Celebrating Biodiversity and Conservation
Observed annually on March 3, World Wildlife Day raises global awareness of the world’s wild flora and fauna. Established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013, the day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. World Wildlife Day celebrates the intrinsic value of wildlife and its critical contributions to biodiversity, ecosystem health, and human well-being.
The Climate Energy Nexus: Understanding the Relationship between Energy Production Systems and Climate Trends
2025, Pages 1-22
This chapter notably supports SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 12 (Responsible Consumption), and 13 (Climate Action) by helping readers to understand the interactions between energy consumption, emissions, and climate, and by introducing modeling approaches.
Water Treatment Using Engineered Carbon Nanotubes, Micro and Nano Technologies series, 2024, Pages 63-96
Metallic Mineral Resources: The Critical Components for a Sustainable Earth, 2024, Pages 409-434
The energy transition will require new technology for clean energy. Many of those technologies require the use of critical metals which are nonrenewable and must be used responsibly and sustainably.
