While the world is working towards making resources more sustainable, recent UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) evaluations indicate that progress in Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) (2012) is not robust enough to achieve long term environmental and development objectives. The results reveal a deficiency in the impact of policy initiatives as compared to tangible results, and thus reinforce the urgency to pursue further action to reach SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production by 2030.
The UNEP update on SCP trends discusses efforts of countries to deal with resource efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable business practices, and consumer actions. While some has advanced (infrastructure for recycling for e.g. and the productivity of resources), overall, world trends suggest an increase in material consumption and waste generation, according to the report. This is leading to environmental pressures, including pollution and biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions, according to analysts.
A useful lesson to be learnt from the report is that improvements in policies do not necessarily translate into tangible environmental gains on the ground. Many countries have developed national SCP strategies or circular economy policies, for example, but implementation has been uneven, primarily due to a lack of finance and capacity to put the policies into effect, as well as weak enforcement. They say that more effective linkage between policy frameworks and measurable outcomes is essential for sparking change at scale.
The UNEP evaluation also identifies new possible avenues for a sustainable transition. Some businesses are reducing their footprints and making supply chain more transparent with innovations in digital technologies, eco-labeling, sustainable public procurement and sustainable corporate reporting. Integrating SCP ideas and approaches into the planning and development of cities and regions is also having positive effects on waste management and energy efficiency.
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The report does warn, however, that more collaboration between stakeholders is needed to bridge the gap between commitment and outcome. Assistance and initiatives from the public and private sectors, civil society and consumers are needed to make investments and redirect otherwise wasted capital, develop the data infrastructure, and help create a culture that avoids the linear economy and excessive resource use.
UNEP's update findings do not indicate that the SCP agenda is accelerating, but rather that trends are not coming close to decoupling economic development from environmental damage. In order to draw the necessary conclusions and accelerate progress, the report encourages the inclusion of SCP in recovery programs following COVID-19, broadening financial support for sustainable activities, and enhancing monitoring approaches to measure the real effects.
