European Sustainable Development Week Events on SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Out of the over 5,300 events that will be taking place all over Europe during the ESDW 2019, 2,535 events currently address SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, which seeks to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Out of the over 5,300 events that will be taking place all over Europe during the ESDW 2019, 2,535 events currently address SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, which seeks to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

SDG 12 aims to:

  1. Implement the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries.
  2. By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
  3. By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
  4. By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
  5. By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
  6. Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
  7. Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.
  8. By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.

Progress being made towards achieving SDG 12

  • Decoupling economic growth from resource use is one of the most critical and complex challenges facing humanity today. Doing so effectively will require policies that create a conducive environment for such change, social and physical infrastructure and markets, and a profound transformation of business practices along global value chains.
    • The per capita “material footprint” of developing countries grew from 5 metric tons in 2000 to 9 metric tons in 2017, representing a significant improvement in the material standard of living. Most of the increase is attributed to a rise in the use of non-metallic minerals, pointing to growth in the areas of infrastructure and construction.
    • For all types of materials, developed countries have at least double the per capita footprint of developing countries. In particular, the material footprint for fossil fuels is more than four times higher for developed than developing countries.
    • By 2018, a total of 108 countries had national policies and initiatives relevant to sustainable consumption and production.
    • According to a recent report from KPMG, 93 per cent of the world’s 250 largest companies (in terms of revenue) are now reporting on sustainability, as are three quarters of the top 100 companies in 49 countries.

To find out  more about the ESDW Events dealing with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, please visit the Activities section on the ESDW website.

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