What is ‘sustainable consumption’?

Different organisations and policymakers have defined sustainable consumption (and production) in many ways. Most definitions refer to ‘sustainable consumption’ as using goods and services produced with a reduced impact on natural resources and fewer pollutants or as purchasing, consuming and disposing of products in a sustainable manner. 

The essence of sustainable consumption and production lies in doing more and better with less - which is also a fundamental principle of SDG number 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Moreover, the ‘life cycle thinking’ approach of handling resources to their fullest potential and working towards alleviating poverty is at the heart of sustainable consumption. 

WHAT IS A ‘CONSIDERATE CONSUMER’?

A considerate consumer carefully considers a consumption or a purchasing decision before actually making the decision. In other words, Considerate Consumers reflect on the consequences their purchases have for society, our planet, and the world’s animals.

WHY SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION?

Sustainable consumption is cruical to combat the climate crisis.

Throw-away culture & OVERCONSUMPTION

We live in a fast-paced world where things change rapidly; goods are designed to become obsolete so that they will be replaced sooner.

This results in a high need for energy, water, land, and other natural resources. This is at the heart of global warming. Human-triggered Climate Change → is a symptom of a deeper modern-day problem of overconsumption, demanding more mining of natural resources and manufacturing goods and services to today’s society.

Polluting PRODUCTION

Transport, energy, industrial production, services, construction and agriculture are the most Greenhouse Gas → (GHG) emitting sectors.
The sectors’ climate-unfriendly activity is based on our/ consumers’ demand for cars, aeroplanes, electricity, telecommunication services, technologies, entertainment, fast food, etc.

OVERCOMING ESTABLISHED CONSUMPTION PATTERNS

A growing consumerism culture fuels these Consumption-Related Carbon Emissions →. However, we tend to see carbon emissions produced by industries, ignoring consumers’ role in driving production through historically grown but outdated and deeply internalised consumption patterns.

THE SOLUTION: ‘SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION’

We must shift our minds and demand sustainably produced goods and services to make industries reinvent their production processes, and goods, designing them environmentally friendly, Circular →, less carbon-intensive, and zero-waste.

HOW TO CONSUME MORE SUSTAINABLY? 

So, the critical question is: “What to do now?”
Unfortunately, there is not this one simple and sweeping answer to this, but lucky us, many different and efficient solutions exist.

It's about changing and tweaking our daily routines (for example, commuting to work) and consumption habits (for example, meals) one by one so that the adapted habits fit into our everyday lives and lifestyles.
For example, one person carpools instead of driving alone to work, and another orders vegetarian meals at a restaurant instead of meat dishes.

HOW TO GET STARTED?

It is easier than you think to kick-start your sustainability journey today and immediately. Many solutions can be implemented right away and without complicated and time-intensive hands-on or intellectual preparation.

Here is our TCC Guide on
How To Become A Considerate Consumer in 6 Easy Steps →.

LEARN MORE

Check our sources: Bibliography →