Responsible Consumption and Production
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The last century has undoubtedly been characterized by major economic and social progress, but many forms of environmental degradation have also developed. It is indisputable that the two most powerful drivers of the global economy are production and consumption, which are closely linked to man’s use of the natural environment and its resources but, unfortunately, this ‘use’ is increasingly turning into ‘abuse’; if this dangerous trend does not change in a few decades, our planet will be subject to violent destructive impacts, some of them irreversible.
According to the results of surveys carried out by the United Nations, about one third of all food produced each year spoils due to poor transport and collection practices, or rots in retailers’ dumpsters. In numerical terms wasted food exceeds 1.3 billion tonnes, an economic value of almost 1 trillion dollars but, most seriously, the impact of uncontrolled production and consumption is polluting and seriously damaging the environment and biodiversity.
Many Events and World Days are organized by governmental and non-governmental organizations in order to inform people on these topics and thus raising awareness. The aim of these initiatives is to educate the public how to preserve our environment and help protect our planet. It is our responsibility to adopt more responsible and eco-friendly behaviors and this can be done also when we consume goods for our necessities. Naturally a great contribution derives from companies which adopt eco-friendly production procedures. As natural resources are limited on Earth, we all need to learn to do more and better with less.
Buy and use only what you need
Be responsible when shopping and remember resources are not infinite. Buying and using only what we necessarily need is also good for our wallet… and, remember: when possible, recycle!
Go renewable: use clean energy
At home or when working in the office choose renewable energy or efficient energy devices for their lighting and heating. It might be costly at the begging to change but in the long term this investment will bring its benefits especially from an environment point of view.
Support the eco-friendly transport use
Some public venues and businesses offer free bike stands outside their buildings to encourage people to cycle instead of taking private cars. However, if cars are unavoidable, urge people to take advantage of car sharing or public transportation in order to reduce the impact on our environment and save resources and during the weekend enjoy a bicycle ride with all the family.
Save paper and use more your email
Paper is derived from wood through various manufacturing processes that require energy consumption and production of CO2: let’s preserve our forests, decrease energy consumption and emission of carbon dioxide as much as possible! Thus: rather than handing out paper materials, leaflets or receipts, it is better to send out information digitally via email or through social media platforms, it is also faster, cheaper and reaches more people.
Invite people to use their own stuff
Asking and inviting people to bring their own resources to an event is a great example of how to minimize consumption costs as well as to reduce the impact on the environment. In case there is any leftover food, you can take it home in your own lunch boxes.
More responsible supply chains
The European Union (EU) encourages european companies doing business in partner countries to have responsible supply chains and business practices. The EU is doing its best to guarantee that supply routes within global value chains are managed in a sustainable way, this to ensure that European consumers’ choices don’t undermine environmental protection. This example should be imitated by the entire world community.
Support green transition
It is interesting to note that the EU supports its partner countries’ transition to an inclusive green economy that generates economic growth and decent jobs. It is evident that the necessity to switch to Greener economy, and in order to reach this goal it is of paramount importance to spread awareness about the opportunities innovative technologies can bring us in reducing our impact on the planet saving resources and using alternative sustainable energy resources, this transition will help us preserving our environment and mitigate climate change.
Better management for waste and chemicals
Furthermore the EU supports the sound management of waste and chemicals and our partner countries’ implementation efforts of related multilateral environmental agreements. This should be taken as an example and the entire world community should go this path.
Economic growth vs environmental degradation
Increase resource efficiency promoting sustainable lifestyles: there can be no sustainable development without sustainable consumption and production first. In our own small way, by adopting simple measures to our daily behaviors, we can become accustomed more easily and without particular effort to beneficial practices for our environment.
Educate people on consumption habits
Supporting initiatives to educate people about the importance of adopting sustainable consumption habits should be the objective of every government including supporting innovative and eco-friendly production procedures.
To introduce sustainable production procedures is desirable to preserve resources which are not infinite. For example, the EU has introduced a Sustainable Fishing Policy: the EU makes sure that our partner countries respect EU rules to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. These rules, valid in the EU, ensure that only fisheries products validated as legal by the competent flag State or exporting Country can be imported to or exported from the EU.
Similar rules on other areas should be introduced and adopted at the international level and the UN can play an important role in instilling more awareness among Countries and people, like we are trying to do through our initiative.