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SDG : Responsible consumption & production

Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall development plans, reduce future economic, environmental and social costs, strengthen economic competitiveness and reduce poverty.

Sustainable consumption and production  aims at “doing more and better with less,” increasing net welfare gains from economic activities by reducing resource use, degradation and pollution along the whole lifecycle, while increasing quality of life. It involves different stakeholders, including business, consumers, policy makers, researchers, scientists, retailers, media, and development cooperation agencies, among others.

It also requires a systemic approach and cooperation among actors operating in the supply chain, from producer to final consumer. It involves engaging consumers through awareness-raising and education on sustainable consumption and lifestyles, providing consumers with adequate information through standards and labels and engaging in sustainable public procurement, among others.

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RCE Sustainable Consumption and Production Publication

A new publication from the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), "Driving Sustainable Consumption and Production at the Local Level: Education for Sustainable Development Projects from the Global RCE Network", features 12 innovative sustainable consumption and production education projects developed by Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCEs).