#SDG12 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Our planet has provided us with an abundance of natural resources. But we have not utilized them responsibly and currently consume far beyond what our planet can provide. We must learn how to use and produce in sustainable ways that will reverse the harm that we have inflicted on the planet.

Targets

Everyone can help to make sure that we meet the Global Goals. Use these targets to create action for responsible consumption and production.

12.1 IMPLEMENT THE 10-YEAR SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION FRAMEWORK

Implement the 10‑Year Framework of Programs 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.

12.2 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT AND USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

12.3 HALVE GLOBAL PER CAPITA FOOD WASTE

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.

12.4 RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICALS AND WASTE

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.

12.5 SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE WASTE GENERATION

By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

12.6 ENCOURAGE COMPANIES TO ADOPT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.

12.7 PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PRACTICES

Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

12.8 PROMOTE UNIVERSAL UNDERSTANDING OF SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES

By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.

12.9 SUPPORT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES’ SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITY FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

Thoughts

Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation now claims close to 70 percent of all freshwater for human use. The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this goal. Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is equally important, as is supporting developing countries to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030. A large share of the world population is still consuming far too little to meet even their basic needs. Halving the per capita of global food waste at the retailer and consumer levels is also important for creating more efficient production and supply chains. This can help with food security, and shift us towards a more resource efficient economy. Environmental sustainability must be integrated with economic welfare and growth by decoupling environmental degradation from economic growth and doing more with less. Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation claims almost 70 percent of all freshwater for human use. Soil and leaf moisture sensors combined with humidity and temperature sensors can help farmers reduce levels of irrigation through more targeted use of water. Industrial air quality monitoring sensors can report on carbon emissions to regulators for taxation purposes.