Place , Date

Global Context of Sustainable Consumption & Production

PhD courseUniversitat Rovira i Virgili

Global Context of SCPGlobal Context of SCP- Outline -- Outline -

•Problem-settingProblem-setting

•Global consumption pattersGlobal consumption patters

• Interrelation of consumption and Interrelation of consumption and productionproduction

•Activities at the international levelActivities at the international level

•Actions and research neededActions and research needed

Promoting Sustainability: Promoting Sustainability: A Challenge for AllA Challenge for All

“Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take an idea that seems abstract - sustainable

development - and turn it into a daily reality for all the world’s people.”

Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, March 2001

What is the Problem?What is the Problem?

““The major cause of the continued The major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is deterioration of the global environment is the the unsustainable patterns of unsustainable patterns of consumption and productionconsumption and production, , particularly in industrialized countries, particularly in industrialized countries, which is a matter of grave concern, which is a matter of grave concern, aggravating poverty and imbalances.”aggravating poverty and imbalances.”

Agenda 21 (Chap. 4.3), Earth Summit, Rio Agenda 21 (Chap. 4.3), Earth Summit, Rio 19921992

What is the Magnitude?What is the Magnitude?

““It is simply impossible for the world as It is simply impossible for the world as a whole to sustain a Western level of a whole to sustain a Western level of consumption for all. In fact, if 7 billion consumption for all. In fact, if 7 billion people were to consume as much people were to consume as much energy and resources as we do in the energy and resources as we do in the West today we will need more than one West today we will need more than one planet to satisfy all our needs.”planet to satisfy all our needs.”

Gro Harlem Brundtland, 1994Gro Harlem Brundtland, 1994

Sustainable Development: Sustainable Development: a long-term issue (1)a long-term issue (1)

1900 21002002 2050

If we go on with current production and consumption patterns,

Two planets are needed by 2050

Sustainable Development: Sustainable Development: a long-term issue (2)a long-term issue (2)

Political leaders term of office

Corporate investment payback period

Life of an electricity generating plant

Life of a child born today

Influence of CO2 on green house effect

1900 21002002 2050

Deterioration ContinuesDeterioration Continues

• Between 1990 and 1995, Between 1990 and 1995, 65 million hectares 65 million hectares of forestof forest (the size of 130 million football (the size of 130 million football fields) were lost.fields) were lost.

• In 1996In 1996, , 25%25% of the world’s of the world’s mammal speciesmammal species and and 11% bird11% bird species were at a significant risk species were at a significant risk of total extinction.of total extinction.

• The The global marine fish catch almost global marine fish catch almost doubleddoubled between 1975-1995 and now an between 1975-1995 and now an estimated estimated 60%60% of fisheries are at or near the of fisheries are at or near the point at which yields decline.point at which yields decline.

• 400 million tones of hazardous waste400 million tones of hazardous waste is is created from chemicals each year, with 75% of created from chemicals each year, with 75% of the use and waste generation attributed to the the use and waste generation attributed to the industrial countries.industrial countries.

Implementation GapImplementation Gap

Fundamental changes in the way societies Fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume are indispensable for produce and consume are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development. achieving global sustainable development. All countries should promote All countries should promote sustainable consumption and sustainable consumption and production patternsproduction patterns...... Governments, Governments, relevant international organizations, the relevant international organizations, the private sector and all major groups should private sector and all major groups should play an active role in changing play an active role in changing unsustainable consumption and production unsustainable consumption and production patterns. patterns.

WSSD. Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, Sept. 2002WSSD. Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, Sept. 2002

WSSD Plan of Implementation, WSSD Plan of Implementation, Johannesburg, 2002Johannesburg, 2002

Encourage and promote the development Encourage and promote the development of a of a 10-year framework of 10-year framework of programmes in support ofprogrammes in support of regional regional and national initiatives to and national initiatives to accelerate the shift towards accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and sustainable consumption and productionproduction......

Global Consumption Global Consumption PattersPatters

Gross Domestic Product

Inequalities in ConsumptionInequalities in Consumption

1.3 billion people live on less than 1 US 1.3 billion people live on less than 1 US dollar a day. dollar a day.         

The overall consumption of the richest The overall consumption of the richest fifth of the world’s population is 16 times fifth of the world’s population is 16 times that of the poorest fifth.that of the poorest fifth.

Nearly 160 million children areNearly 160 million children are mmalnourished.alnourished.

More than 880 million people lack access More than 880 million people lack access to health services.to health services.    

1.5 billion lack access to sanitation and 1.5 billion lack access to sanitation and clean waterclean water..

Population under the age of 15

Population, Consumption & Population, Consumption & EnvironmentEnvironment

• PopulationPopulation is not the main problem of is not the main problem of environmental degradation, but rather environmental degradation, but rather the consumption and production patterns.the consumption and production patterns.

• Need for Need for inter- and intra-generation inter- and intra-generation equity.equity.

• Need to Need to meet the basic needsmeet the basic needs of the of the whole population (food, shelter, health, whole population (food, shelter, health, education, clothing).education, clothing).

Interrelation of Cleaner Production Interrelation of Cleaner Production and Sustainable Consumptionand Sustainable Consumption

• Over the last decade, we have seen Over the last decade, we have seen significant improvements in significant improvements in Cleaner Cleaner ProductionProduction (pollution prevention, (pollution prevention, waste minimization, andwaste minimization, and eco-efficiency).eco-efficiency).

• However, changes in consumption However, changes in consumption patterns have offset the environmental patterns have offset the environmental gains achieved CP and eco-efficiency.gains achieved CP and eco-efficiency.

0

50

100

150

200

250

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Index

, 198

0 = 10

0

Generation of municipal wasteEnergy useW ater abstractions

Generation of municipal wasteEnergy useW ater abstractions

Total use

Intensity of use per GDP

Figure 1. Resource and material intensity of OECD economies, total use and intensity of use relative to GDP, 1980-2020

Decoupling EquationDecoupling Equation

I = i x m x u x P

(Total

impact)

(impact /

kg)

(kg /

utility)

(utility /

capita)

(capita)

Strategies: Transmaterial-

isation

Dematerial-

isation

Structural

Changes

Environmental Kuznets CurveEnvironmental Kuznets Curve

• Largely, this trend can be seen in the history of Largely, this trend can be seen in the history of developed economies, particularly for air pollution. developed economies, particularly for air pollution.

• Two main exceptions to this tends to be CO2 and Two main exceptions to this tends to be CO2 and municipal solid waste.municipal solid waste.

• The impacts of both of these tend to be too far The impacts of both of these tend to be too far removed in space an time from those responsible to removed in space an time from those responsible to elicit any change in behavior.elicit any change in behavior.

GDP

Env’l degradation

Current SituationCurrent Situation• Rebound effectsRebound effects: productivity/efficiency : productivity/efficiency

gains being overtaken by production gains being overtaken by production increasesincreases

• Problems of production process understood Problems of production process understood but but gap of understandinggap of understanding consumptionconsumption (use) and disposal of products.(use) and disposal of products.

• New developing sectors New developing sectors new new opportunitiesopportunities

• Environmental concerns Environmental concerns not integratednot integrated into economic and social programmes and into economic and social programmes and vice versavice versa

Environmental Management Environmental Management Evolutionary “Ladder”Evolutionary “Ladder”

Cost & liability

Prevent

Control

Dilute

Ignore

Sustainable Development

Save & opportunity

React & treat

Anticipate & prevent GOAL

recycling; treatment

cleaner production;sustainable consumption

The challenge...The challenge...

Promoting sustainable consumption Promoting sustainable consumption and production patternsand production patterns

• New product-oriented strategies (life New product-oriented strategies (life cycle perspective, design and cycle perspective, design and manufacture)manufacture)

• Understanding consumptionUnderstanding consumption

• Integrated approach of sustainable Integrated approach of sustainable consumption and production.consumption and production.

De-linking environmental damage De-linking environmental damage from economic growthfrom economic growth

NOW NOW - - 10-yr framework of programs on 10-yr framework of programs on SCPSCP::

Marrakech processMarrakech processInternational bottom-up process International bottom-up process to promote sustainable to promote sustainable consumption and productconsumption and productiion on world-wide:world-wide:

• 1st International Meeting in 1st International Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, June 2003 Marrakech, Morocco, June 2003 organised by UN DESA and UNEPorganised by UN DESA and UNEP

• Regular global and regional meetingsRegular global and regional meetings

• Integration of economic, Integration of economic, environmental and social aspectsenvironmental and social aspects

UN Areas of work under UN Areas of work under the 10-year frameworkthe 10-year frameworkA.A. General Policy Instruments and Analytical ToolsGeneral Policy Instruments and Analytical Tools ·· UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative B.B. Changing Consumption PatternsChanging Consumption Patterns·· UNEP/DTIE - YouthXchange UNEP/DTIE - YouthXchange ·· UNEP/DTIE - Advertising and Communication Forum·UNEP/DTIE - Advertising and Communication Forum· ·· UNEP/DTIE - Sustainable procurement UNEP/DTIE - Sustainable procurement C.C. Changing Production Patterns Changing Production Patterns ·· UNEP/DTIE - Sustainable Products and Services (Eco-design UNEP/DTIE - Sustainable Products and Services (Eco-design

and Product-Service-Systems) and Product-Service-Systems)·· UNEP/DTIE - Cleaner Production (CP) Activities UNEP/DTIE - Cleaner Production (CP) Activities ·· UNEP/DTIE - National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPC ) UNEP/DTIE - National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPC ) ·· DESA/ DSD - Expert Group on Environmental Management DESA/ DSD - Expert Group on Environmental Management

Accounting (EMA) Accounting (EMA) ·· DESA/ DSD - National Cleaner Technology Strategies DESA/ DSD - National Cleaner Technology Strategies

(NCTS) (NCTS) D.D. Sectoral IssuesSectoral Issues

The implementation The implementation challengechallenge

Not simply series of meetings, but:Not simply series of meetings, but:• Focus on “global consumer class” and Focus on “global consumer class” and

meeting basic needs of the poormeeting basic needs of the poor• Assist governments in implementing Assist governments in implementing

projects in areas such as water, energy projects in areas such as water, energy and housingand housing

• Promote resource efficiency in key Promote resource efficiency in key industry sectorsindustry sectors

• Strengthen existing work on eco-Strengthen existing work on eco-design, economic instruments, design, economic instruments, communication and capacity building communication and capacity building (SME’s)(SME’s)

• Understand consumption drivers and Understand consumption drivers and identify opportunities for changeidentify opportunities for change

22ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd international review international review meeting of Marrakech process meeting of Marrakech process

St. Jose, Costa Rica, Sept. 2005St. Jose, Costa Rica, Sept. 2005

• Strengthen the linkages between Strengthen the linkages between Sustainable Consumption and Production Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and poverty eradication/ Millennium (SCP) and poverty eradication/ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)Development Goals (MDGs)

• Focus on limited set of practical working Focus on limited set of practical working areasareas

• Stop with the regional consultation processStop with the regional consultation process

Stockholm, Sweden, June 2007Stockholm, Sweden, June 2007

• Business partnershipBusiness partnership

PrioritiesPriorities5 priorities for further work:5 priorities for further work:

1.1.Industrial development (including circular Industrial development (including circular economy, safer production),economy, safer production),

2.2.Waste management (including 3R Initiative),Waste management (including 3R Initiative),3.3.SCP training and capacity building as part of SCP training and capacity building as part of

UNEP’s Bali Strategic Plan,UNEP’s Bali Strategic Plan,4.4.Sustainable Trade and Resource Sustainable Trade and Resource

Consumption (focusing on life cycle thinking Consumption (focusing on life cycle thinking and adequate support for SME's in and adequate support for SME's in developing countries),developing countries),

5.5.Sustainable Energy and Mobility (renewable Sustainable Energy and Mobility (renewable energy and improving infrastructure for energy and improving infrastructure for industrial development, achieving industrial development, achieving development goals).development goals).

Marrakech Task ForcesMarrakech Task ForcesAAction-oriented Task Forces ction-oriented Task Forces led by governments:led by governments:

1.1. Co-operation with Africa, on Co-operation with Africa, on leapfrogging to SCP (Germany)leapfrogging to SCP (Germany)

2.2. Sustainable lifestyles, on advertising Sustainable lifestyles, on advertising and youth (Sweden)and youth (Sweden)

3.3. Sustainable product policies (UK)Sustainable product policies (UK)4.4. Sustainable procurement Sustainable procurement

(Switzerland)(Switzerland)5.5. Sustainable building (Finland)Sustainable building (Finland)6.6. Sustainable tourism (France)Sustainable tourism (France)7.7. Sustainable education (Italy)Sustainable education (Italy)

International Panel on International Panel on sustainable use of natural sustainable use of natural resourcesresources

• Independent advice to the European Independent advice to the European Commission, interested governments and Commission, interested governments and international organizationsinternational organizations

• On the key environmental impacts of natural On the key environmental impacts of natural resource extraction and use in a life-cycle resource extraction and use in a life-cycle perspective and on approaches to reducing perspective and on approaches to reducing impacts, aimed at decoupling environmental impacts, aimed at decoupling environmental impacts from economical growth.impacts from economical growth.

• Support to capacity building in developing Support to capacity building in developing countries in relation to resources extraction countries in relation to resources extraction and use in a life-cycle perspective.and use in a life-cycle perspective.

Action and research needed: Action and research needed: Influencing and understanding Influencing and understanding consumption & production consumption & production patterns ...patterns ...

Examine underlying Examine underlying driversdrivers for consumption: for consumption:

• identify obstacles and identify obstacles and opportunitiesopportunities for change for change

• improve products and servicesimprove products and services

businessbusiness

• modernize infrastructure and policy frameworksmodernize infrastructure and policy frameworks

governmentsgovernments

• awareness, dialogue and reflectionawareness, dialogue and reflection

consumer groupsconsumer groups

… … to create “space for consumption” for allto create “space for consumption” for all