Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries
Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production
By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP
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
(a) Food loss index and (b) food waste index
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
Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement
(a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment
By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
National recycling rate, tons of material recycled
Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
Number of companies publishing sustainability reports
Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans
By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing countries (in watts per capita)
Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability
Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities
Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies (production and consumption) per unit of GDP
Climate — Global
With the Sustainable Development Goals at risk of falling short by 2030, a circular economy model could be the revitalizing force we need. By embracing the mutually reinforcing approach of sustainability and circularity, we can accelerate progress toward existing targets – and inspire a transformative vision for the decades ahead
Climate — Global
Addressing climate change requires a paradigm shift: disruptive, decarbonizing technologies across agriculture, industrials, buildings, energy, and transportation, backed by strong government investment. By fostering exploratory innovation in each sector, we can create the comprehensive solutions for the sustainable transformation we need
Climate — Global
Emissions trading systems played a pivotal role in combating acid rain in the 1990s, but their rollout for greenhouse gases has been comparatively slow. What’s holding them back, and what will it take for these systems to help win the fight against climate change?
Food systems and sustainable agriculture — Europe
Origin Green sums up the best of what joined-up thinking looks like: uniting food and drink businesses of all sizes in Ireland under a national sustainability programme
Environment — Global
Transitioning from linear to circular models of production and consumption remains a significant challenge. How can we transform deeply ingrained practices, attitudes, and incentives across both supply and demand chains to facilitate this shift?
Economic development — Global
Technology transfer is fundamental in developing countries’ aspirations to decarbonize, yet the flow of green tech from developed nations is far below what’s needed. How can we shift investment and political incentives to truly enable the proliferation of sustainable technology worldwide?
Climate — Global
COP28 is a pivotal moment for the Paris Agreement. The first global stocktake presents a comprehensive view of progress towards the goals of the agreement. The synthesis report released in September makes it clear we are falling well short. The science is clear and, collectively, we have the knowledge and resources to deliver. Now it is time for political leaders to unite behind a common plan to address the climate crisis
Critics of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s focus on production-based emissions argue that it ignores “carbon leakage.” How might a consumption-based approach, looking beyond national borders, improve climate mitigation strategies?
Climate — Global
The promise of trillion-dollar sustainable finance initiatives rests on a triple fallacy: that we can make sense of them, that they are a measure of money that is available to finance or support climate-related causes, and that someone has structured and organized control over these amounts. It’s time to accept their extremely limited utility and move on
Climate — Global
Scope 3 emissions, those outside an organization’s direct control, are proving the most stubborn to reduce. Key to success is more companies working with their suppliers to adopt science-based targets throughout the whole value chain
