A-21: CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
Distr.
GENERAL
A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I)
12 August 1992
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)
Chapter 4
CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
4.1. This chapter contains the following programme areas:
(a) Focusing on unsustainable patterns of production and
consumption;
(b) Developing national policies and strategies to encourage changes
in unsustainable consumption patterns.
4.2. Since the issue of changing consumption patterns is very broad, it is
addressed in several parts of Agenda 21, notably those dealing with energy,
transportation and wastes, and in the chapters on economic instruments and
the transfer of technology. The present chapter should also be read in
conjunction with chapter 5 (Demographic dynamics and sustainability).
PROGRAMME AREAS
A. Focusing on unsustainable patterns
of production and consumption
Basis for action
4.3. Poverty and environmental degradation are closely interrelated.
While poverty results in certain kinds of environmental stress, the major
cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is the
unsustainable pattern of consumption and production, particularly in
industrialized countries, which is a matter of grave concern, aggravating
poverty and imbalances.
4.4. Measures to be undertaken at the international level for the
protection and enhancement of the environment must take fully into account
the current imbalances in the global patterns of consumption and
production.
4.5. Special attention should be paid to the demand for natural resources
generated by unsustainable consumption and to the efficient use of those
resources consistent with the goal of minimizing depletion and reducing
pollution. Although consumption patterns are very high in certain parts of
the world, the basic consumer needs of a large section of humanity are not
being met. This results in excessive demands and unsustainable lifestyles
among the richer segments, which place immense stress on the environment.
The poorer segments, meanwhile, are unable to meet food, health care,
shelter and educational needs. Changing consumption patterns will require
a multipronged strategy focusing on demand, meeting the basic needs of the
poor, and reducing wastage and the use of finite resources in the
production process.
4.6. Growing recognition of the importance of addressing consumption has
also not yet been matched by an understanding of its implications. Some
economists are questioning traditional concepts of economic growth and
underlining the importance of pursuing economic objectives that take
account of the full value of natural resource capital. More needs to be
known about the role of consumption in relation to economic growth and
population dynamics in order to formulate coherent international and
national policies.
Objectives
4.7. Action is needed to meet the following broad objectives:
(a) To promote patterns of consumption and production that reduce
environmental stress and will meet the basic needs of humanity;
(b) To develop a better understanding of the role of consumption and
how to bring about more sustainable consumption patterns.
Activities
(a) Management-related activities
Adopting an international approach to achieving sustainable consumption
patterns
4.8. In principle, countries should be guided by the following basic
objectives in their efforts to address consumption and lifestyles in the
context of environment and development:
(a) All countries should strive to promote sustainable consumption
patterns;
(b) Developed countries should take the lead in achieving sustainable
consumption patterns;
(c) Developing countries should seek to achieve sustainable
consumption patterns in their development process, guaranteeing the
provision of basic needs for the poor, while avoiding those unsustainable
patterns, particularly in industrialized countries, generally recognized as
unduly hazardous to the environment, inefficient and wasteful, in their
development processes. This requires enhanced technological and other
assistance from industrialized countries.
4.9. In the follow-up of the implementation of Agenda 21 the review of
progress made in achieving sustainable consumption patterns should be given
high priority.
(b) Data and information
Undertaking research on consumption
4.10. In order to support this broad strategy, Governments, and/or private
research and policy institutes, with the assistance of regional and
international economic and environmental organizations, should make a
concerted effort to:
(a) Expand or promote databases on production and consumption and
develop methodologies for analysing them;
(b) Assess the relationship between production and consumption,
environment, technological adaptation and innovation, economic growth and
development, and demographic factors;
(c) Examine the impact of ongoing changes in the structure
of modern industrial economies away from material-intensive economic
growth;
(d) Consider how economies can grow and prosper while reducing the use
of energy and materials and the production of harmful materials;
(e) Identify balanced patterns of consumption worldwide which the
Earth can support in the long term.
Developing new concepts of sustainable economic growth and prosperity
4.11. Consideration should also be given to the present concepts of
economic growth and the need for new concepts of wealth and prosperity
which allow higher standards of living through changed lifestyles and are
less dependent on the Earth's finite resources and more in harmony with the
Earth's carrying capacity. This should be reflected in the evolution of
new systems of national accounts and other indicators of sustainable
development.
(c) International cooperation and coordination
4.12. While international review processes exist for examining economic,
development and demographic factors, more attention needs to be paid to
issues related to consumption and production patterns and sustainable
lifestyles and environment.
4.13. In the follow-up of the implementation of Agenda 21, reviewing the
role and impact of unsustainable production and consumption patterns and
lifestyles and their relation to sustainable development should be given
high priority.
Financing and cost evaluation
4.14. The Conference secretariat has estimated that implementation of this
programme is not likely to require significant new financial resources.
B. Developing national policies and strategies to encourage
changes in unsustainable consumption patterns
Basis for action
4.15. Achieving the goals of environmental quality and sustainable
development will require efficiency in production and changes in
consumption patterns in order to emphasize optimization of resource use and
minimization of waste. In many instances, this will require reorientation
of existing production and consumption patterns that have developed in
industrial societies and are in turn emulated in much of the world.
4.16. Progress can be made by strengthening positive trends and directions
that are emerging, as part of a process aimed at achieving significant
changes in the consumption patterns of industries, Governments, households
and individuals.
Objectives
4.17. In the years ahead, Governments, working with appropriate
organizations, should strive to meet the following broad objectives:
(a) To promote efficiency in production processes and reduce wasteful
consumption in the process of economic growth, taking into account the
development needs of developing countries;
(b) To develop a domestic policy framework that will encourage a shift
to more sustainable patterns of production and consumption;
(c) To reinforce both values that encourage sustainable production and
consumption patterns and policies that encourage the transfer of
environmentally sound technologies to developing countries.
Activities
(a) Encouraging greater efficiency in the use of energy and resources
4.18. Reducing the amount of energy and materials used per unit in the
production of goods and services can contribute both to the alleviation of
environmental stress and to greater economic and industrial productivity
and competitiveness. Governments, in cooperation with industry, should
therefore intensify efforts to use energy and resources in an economically
efficient and environmentally sound manner by:
(a) Encouraging the dissemination of existing environmentally sound
technologies;
(b) Promoting research and development in environmentally sound
technologies;
(c) Assisting developing countries to use these technologies
efficiently and to develop technologies suited to their particular
circumstances;
(d) Encouraging the environmentally sound use of new and renewable
sources of energy;
(e) Encouraging the environmentally sound and sustainable use of
renewable natural resources.
(b) Minimizing the generation of wastes
4.19. At the same time, society needs to develop effective ways of dealing
with the problem of disposing of mounting levels of waste products and
materials. Governments, together with industry, households and the public,
should make a concerted effort to reduce the generation of wastes and waste
products by:
(a) Encouraging recycling in industrial processes and at the consumed
level;
(b) Reducing wasteful packaging of products;
(c) Encouraging the introduction of more environmentally sound
products.
(c) Assisting individuals and households to make environmentally sound
purchasing decisions
4.20. The recent emergence in many countries of a more environmentally
conscious consumer public, combined with increased interest on the part of
some industries in providing environmentally sound consumer products, is a
significant development that should be encouraged. Governments and
international organizations, together with the private sector, should
develop criteria and methodologies for the assessment of environmental
impacts and resource requirements throughout the full life cycle of
products and processes. Results of those assessments should be transformed
into clear indicators in order to inform consumers and decision makers.
4.21. Governments, in cooperation with industry and other relevant groups,
should encourage expansion of environmental labelling and other
environmentally related product information programmes designed to assist
consumers to make informed choices.
4.22. They should also encourage the emergence of an informed consumer
public and assist individuals and households to make environmentally
informed choices by:
(a) Providing information on the consequences of consumption choices
and behaviour so as to encourage demand for environmentally sound products
and use of products;
(b) Making consumers aware of the health and environmental impact of
products, through such means as consumer legislation and environmental
labelling;
(c) Encouraging specific consumer-oriented programmes,
such as recycling and deposit/refund systems.
(d) Exercising leadership through government purchasing
4.23. Governments themselves also play a role in consumption, particularly
in countries where the public sector plays a large role in the economy and
can have a considerable influence on both corporate decisions and public
perceptions. They should therefore review the purchasing policies of their
agencies and departments so that they may improve, where possible, the
environmental content of government procurement policies, without prejudice
to international trade principles.
(e) Moving towards environmentally sound pricing
4.24. Without the stimulus of prices and market signals that make clear to
producers and consumers the environmental costs of the consumption of
energy, materials and natural resources and the generation of wastes,
significant changes in consumption and production patterns seem unlikely to
occur in the near future.
4.25. Some progress has begun in the use of appropriate economic
instruments to influence consumer behaviour. These instruments include
environmental charges and taxes, deposit/refund systems, etc. This process
should be encouraged in the light of country-specific conditions.
(f) Reinforcing values that support sustainable consumption
4.26. Governments and private-sector organizations should promote more
positive attitudes towards sustainable consumption through education,
public awareness programmes and other means, such as positive advertising
of products and services that utilize environmentally sound technologies or
encourage sustainable production and consumption patterns. In the review
of the implementation of Agenda 21, an assessment of the progress achieved
in developing these national policies and strategies should be given due
consideration.
Means of implementation
4.27. This programme is concerned primarily with changes in unsustainable
patterns of consumption and production and values that encourage
sustainable consumption patterns and lifestyles. It requires the combined
efforts of Governments, consumers and producers. Particular attention
should be paid to the significant role played by women and households as
consumers and the potential impacts of their combined purchasing power on
the economy.
END OF CHAPTER 4
====RRojas Research Unit/1996===========================================
