How can we achieve SDG 12 — Responsible Consumption and Production ?

A growing population across the world is increasing the demand for already constrained natural resources. To achieve a sustainable and equitable future, responsible consumption and production is fundamental.

The aim of SDG 12 is to do “more and better with less”, and it encourages solutions that increase economic gains and quality of life, while reducing resource use, degradation and pollution.

This includes demanding changes from the producer to the final consumer. Educating consumers on sustainable consumption and lifestyles through standards and labels, providing them with information that allows them to make better choices is important.

Urgent action is needed

Growing material consumption worldwide continues to be a serious barrier to the achievement of goal 12 and the other goals more broadly. Worldwide material consumption reached 92.1 billion tons in 2017, which is an increase from 87 billion in 2015.

Current material consumption levels will lead to overextraction of resources and degradation of the environment if not changed. Urgent action is needed to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and mainstream sustainability practices.

Responsible consumption and production is our business

Consumption and production are not distant concepts that impact the environment and biodiversity. We are the ones who are consuming goods and in some cases we are also the ones managing production companies. Thus, we have to make conscious choices about what we buy, whether we use hte products for their entire lifetime and how we dispose of them.

1.3 billion tonnes of food produced for human consumption are lost or wasted every year. This is especially troubling considering the fact that almost 2 billion people go hungry or undernourished. In addition, large areas of forest are cleared to make space for farming to produce even more food.

Only 3 percent of the world’s water is fresh and 2,5 percent of this is frozen. The pollution of these waters is happening faster than what nature can replenish, and what is left is being used excessively. Yet, 1 billion people around the world still lack access to fresh water.

This unequal and unsustainable allocation of resources has to change and it is about time we take ownership for our own role in the current situation. Businesses need to find out where in their value chain they can make interventions to create a more positive social and environmental impact. They also have the power to invest in innovative solutions that can enable and inspire individuals to live more sustainable lives.

As individuals we can make changes in our everyday lives. Being mindful about waste and choosing more sustainable products whenever possible can make a massive difference. The textile industry is one of the largest polluters of clean water after agriculture, and many companies exploit textile workers in developing countries. As a consumer you can create change by choosing to buy clothes from sustainable and local sources, and thus pressuring companies to move away from harmful practices.

By bringing together youth, businesses, and other private and public actors, Development Goals Forum (DGF) seeks to facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue on responsible consumption and production to achieve the SDGs. Check out their events at the DGF2020 Globalisation, Thursday 5th of March 2020. To see the programme and register for events, visit https://dgforum.no/program.html