Sustainable Consumption

Sustainable consumption involves the use of products and services that meet basic needs and improve quality of life while minimising the use of natural resources, toxic materials, and emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle, so as not to jeopardise the needs of future generations.

ISO 26000 identifies sustainable consumption as a key consumer issue, emphasising the organisation's role in enabling and encouraging sustainable consumption patterns. Business contributions include designing products for durability, repairability, and recyclability, providing accurate environmental information (carbon footprint, water footprint, recyclability), offering product-as-a-service and sharing economy models, implementing take-back and recycling programmes, reducing packaging and promoting reusable alternatives, and supporting the circular economy through business model innovation. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) provides the global framework.

Further Reading

• ISO 26000 — Consumer issues guidance
• UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection — International consumer protection framework

Related Topics

• Consumer Issues
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption
• Fair Operating Practices