Sustainable consumption and production

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.

This chapter advances SDG goals 7, 9, and 11 by improving our ability to use smart grids to provide stable, demand- and market-responsive energy.
RELX SDG Customer Awards aim to recognise RELX customers who share our commitment to driving action in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Read more about the 2022 winners.
Elsevier,

Imran Khan, Md. Sahabuddin, Chapter 1 - Sustainability---Concept and its application in the energy sector, Editor(s): Imran Khan, Renewable Energy and Sustainability, Elsevier, 2022, Pages 1-22, ISBN 9780323886680.

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 7, 11, and 12 by discussing the concept of sustainability as it relates to sustainable energy development, and highlighting the various assessment methods that can be used
Elsevier,

Mahfuz Kabir, Zobaidul Kabir, Nigar Sultana, Chapter 14 - Climate change, sustainability, and renewable energy in developing economies, Editor(s): Imran Khan, Renewable Energy and Sustainability, Elsevier, 2022, Pages 377-415, ISBN 9780323886680, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-88668-0.00001-2.

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 7, 11, and 12 by discussing the challenges and prospects of adopting renewable energy technologies, and making recommendations on the incentives and investment in research and development, market expansion, and the government's pro-active fiscal and monetary policy support to facilitate the rapid expansion of renewable energy in developing economies.
Elsevier,

Materials Today Communications, Volume 31, June 2022

The articles's focus on using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to remove drugs and emerging pollutants from wastewater directly relates to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It particularly aligns with Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by addressing the issue of water pollution and promoting the removal of harmful substances from aqueous environments. It also connects with Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and Goal 15 (Life on Land) by aiming to protect ecosystems and aquatic life from the detrimental effects of drug pollution, ultimately contributing to environmental preservation and human well-being.
Elsevier,

Michael F. Ashby, Chapter 18 - Wave Power, Editor(s): Michael F. Ashby, Materials and Sustainable Development (Second Edition), Butterworth-Heinemann, 2024, Pages 409-424, ISBN 9780323983617, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-98361-7.00018-X.

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 7 and 11 by explores a possible sustainable development: building wave-energy capture systems that can make a significant contribution, meaning at least 10% of a nation’s energy needs.
Elsevier,

Michael F. Ashby, Chapter 3 - What is a ‘Sustainable Development’?, Editor(s): Michael F. Ashby, Materials and Sustainable Development (Second Edition), Butterworth-Heinemann, 2022, Pages 51-68, ISBN 9780323983617.

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 11 and 12 by defining what is meant by a 'sustainable development' and describing the challenges inherent in planning one.
Several studies have indicated that a global reduction in meat consumption is inevitable for sustainability and public health, despite the challenges inherent to changing eating habits. The purpose of this article is to pursue a stock-take of consumer behavior with regard to reducing meat consumption through a literature review using bibliometric analysis. The findings show the multidisciplinary nature of the field, which is in full development and with many knowledge gaps. Publications are concentrated in a few dominant journals and originated exclusively in developed countries.
Transitioning toward plant-based diets can alleviate health and sustainability challenges. However, research on interventions that influence animal-product consumption remains fragmented and inaccessible to researchers and practitioners. We conducted an overview of systematic reviews, also known as a meta-review. We searched five databases for reviews that examined interventions that influence (increase or decrease) the consumption of animal products.

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