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GENERAL
A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I)
12 August 1992
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)
Chapter 4
CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
4.1. This chapter contains the following programme areas:
(a) Focusing on unsustainable patterns of production and
consumption;
(b) Developing national policies and strategies to encourage
changes in unsustainable consumption patterns.
4.2. Since the issue of changing consumption patterns is very broad,
it is addressed in several parts of Agenda 21, notably those dealing
with energy, transportation and wastes, and in the chapters on economic
instruments and the transfer of technology. The present chapter should
also be read in conjunction with chapter 5 (Demographic dynamics and
sustainability).
PROGRAMME AREAS
A. Focusing on unsustainable patterns
of production and consumption
Basis for action
4.3. Poverty and environmental degradation are closely interrelated.
While poverty results in certain kinds of environmental stress, the
major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is
the unsustainable pattern of consumption and production, particularly
in industrialized countries, which is a matter of grave concern,
aggravating poverty and imbalances.
4.4. Measures to be undertaken at the international level for the
protection and enhancement of the environment must take fully into
account the current imbalances in the global patterns of consumption
and production.
4.5. Special attention should be paid to the demand for natural
resources generated by unsustainable consumption and to the efficient
use of those resources consistent with the goal of minimizing depletion
and reducing pollution. Although consumption patterns are very high in
certain parts of the world, the basic consumer needs of a large section
of humanity are not being met. This results in excessive demands and
unsustainable lifestyles among the richer segments, which place immense
stress on the environment. The poorer segments, meanwhile, are unable
to meet food, health care, shelter and educational needs. Changing
consumption patterns will require a multipronged strategy focusing on
demand, meeting the basic needs of the poor, and reducing wastage and
the use of finite resources in the production process.
4.6. Growing recognition of the importance of addressing consumption
has also not yet been matched by an understanding of its implications.
Some economists are questioning traditional concepts of economic growth
and underlining the importance of pursuing economic objectives that
take account of the full value of natural resource capital. More needs
to be known about the role of consumption in relation to economic
growth and population dynamics in order to formulate coherent
international and national policies.
Objectives
4.7. Action is needed to meet the following broad objectives:
(a) To promote patterns of consumption and production that reduce
environmental stress and will meet the basic needs of humanity;
(b) To develop a better understanding of the role of consumption
and how to bring about more sustainable consumption patterns.
Activities
(a) Management-related activities
Adopting an international approach to achieving sustainable
consumption patterns
4.8. In principle, countries should be guided by the following basic
objectives in their efforts to address consumption and lifestyles in
the context of environment and development:
(a) All countries should strive to promote sustainable
consumption patterns;
(b) Developed countries should take the lead in achieving
sustainable consumption patterns;
(c) Developing countries should seek to achieve sustainable
consumption patterns in their development process, guaranteeing the
provision of basic needs for the poor, while avoiding those
unsustainable patterns, particularly in industrialized countries,
generally recognized as unduly hazardous to the environment,
inefficient and wasteful, in their development processes. This
requires enhanced technological and other assistance from
industrialized countries.
4.9. In the follow-up of the implementation of Agenda 21 the review of
progress made in achieving sustainable consumption patterns should be
given high priority.
(b) Data and information
Undertaking research on consumption
4.10. In order to support this broad strategy, Governments, and/or
private research and policy institutes, with the assistance of regional
and international economic and environmental organizations, should make
a concerted effort to:
(a) Expand or promote databases on production and consumption and
develop methodologies for analysing them;
(b) Assess the relationship between production and consumption,
environment, technological adaptation and innovation, economic growth
and development, and demographic factors;
(c) Examine the impact of ongoing changes in the structure of
modern industrial economies away from material-intensive economic
growth;
(d) Consider how economies can grow and prosper while reducing
the use of energy and materials and the production of harmful
materials;
(e) Identify balanced patterns of consumption worldwide which the
Earth can support in the long term.
Developing new concepts of sustainable economic growth and
prosperity
4.11. Consideration should also be given to the present concepts of
economic growth and the need for new concepts of wealth and prosperity
which allow higher standards of living through changed lifestyles and
are less dependent on the Earth's finite resources and more in harmony
with the Earth's carrying capacity. This should be reflected in the
evolution of new systems of national accounts and other indicators of
sustainable development.
(c) International cooperation and coordination
4.12. While international review processes exist for examining
economic, development and demographic factors, more attention needs to
be paid to issues related to consumption and production patterns and
sustainable lifestyles and environment.
4.13. In the follow-up of the implementation of Agenda 21, reviewing
the role and impact of unsustainable production and consumption
patterns and lifestyles and their relation to sustainable development
should be given high priority.
Financing and cost evaluation
4.14. The Conference secretariat has estimated that implementation of
this programme is not likely to require significant new financial
resources.
B. Developing national policies and strategies to encourage
changes in unsustainable consumption patterns
Basis for action
4.15. Achieving the goals of environmental quality and sustainable
development will require efficiency in production and changes in
consumption patterns in order to emphasize optimization of resource use
and minimization of waste. In many instances, this will require
reorientation of existing production and consumption patterns that have
developed in industrial societies and are in turn emulated in much of
the world.
4.16. Progress can be made by strengthening positive trends and
directions that are emerging, as part of a process aimed at achieving
significant changes in the consumption patterns of industries,
Governments, households and individuals.
Objectives
4.17. In the years ahead, Governments, working with appropriate
organizations, should strive to meet the following broad objectives:
(a) To promote efficiency in production processes and reduce
wasteful consumption in the process of economic growth, taking into
account the development needs of developing countries;
(b) To develop a domestic policy framework that will encourage a
shift to more sustainable patterns of production and consumption;
(c) To reinforce both values that encourage sustainable
production and consumption patterns and policies that encourage the
transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries.
Activities
(a) Encouraging greater efficiency in the use of energy and resources
4.18. Reducing the amount of energy and materials used per unit in the
production of goods and services can contribute both to the alleviation
of environmental stress and to greater economic and industrial
productivity and competitiveness. Governments, in cooperation with
industry, should therefore intensify efforts to use energy and
resources in an economically efficient and environmentally sound manner
by:
(a) Encouraging the dissemination of existing environmentally
sound technologies;
(b) Promoting research and development in environmentally sound
technologies;
(c) Assisting developing countries to use these technologies
efficiently and to develop technologies suited to their particular
circumstances;
(d) Encouraging the environmentally sound use of new and
renewable sources of energy;
(e) Encouraging the environmentally sound and sustainable use of
renewable natural resources.
(b) Minimizing the generation of wastes
4.19. At the same time, society needs to develop effective ways of
dealing with the problem of disposing of mounting levels of waste
products and materials. Governments, together with industry,
households and the public, should make a concerted effort to reduce the
generation of wastes and waste products by:
(a) Encouraging recycling in industrial processes and at the
consumed level;
(b) Reducing wasteful packaging of products;
(c) Encouraging the introduction of more environmentally sound
products.
(c) Assisting individuals and households to make environmentally sound
purchasing decisions
4.20. The recent emergence in many countries of a more environmentally
conscious consumer public, combined with increased interest on the part
of some industries in providing environmentally sound consumer
products, is a significant development that should be encouraged.
Governments and international organizations, together with the private
sector, should develop criteria and methodologies for the assessment of
environmental impacts and resource requirements throughout the full
life cycle of products and processes. Results of those assessments
should be transformed into clear indicators in order to inform
consumers and decision makers.
4.21. Governments, in cooperation with industry and other relevant
groups, should encourage expansion of environmental labelling and other
environmentally related product information programmes designed to
assist consumers to make informed choices.
4.22. They should also encourage the emergence of an informed consumer
public and assist individuals and households to make environmentally
informed choices by:
(a) Providing information on the consequences of consumption
choices and behaviour so as to encourage demand for environmentally
sound products and use of products;
(b) Making consumers aware of the health and environmental impact
of products, through such means as consumer legislation and
environmental labelling;
(c) Encouraging specific consumer-oriented programmes, such as
recycling and deposit/refund systems.
(d) Exercising leadership through government purchasing
4.23. Governments themselves also play a role in consumption,
particularly in countries where the public sector plays a large role in
the economy and can have a considerable influence on both corporate
decisions and public perceptions. They should therefore review the
purchasing policies of their agencies and departments so that they may
improve, where possible, the environmental content of government
procurement policies, without prejudice to international trade
principles.
(e) Moving towards environmentally sound pricing
4.24. Without the stimulus of prices and market signals that make
clear to producers and consumers the environmental costs of the
consumption of energy, materials and natural resources and the
generation of wastes, significant changes in consumption and production
patterns seem unlikely to occur in the near future.
4.25. Some progress has begun in the use of appropriate economic
instruments to influence consumer behaviour. These instruments include
environmental charges and taxes, deposit/refund systems, etc. This
process should be encouraged in the light of country-specific
conditions.
(f) Reinforcing values that support sustainable consumption
4.26. Governments and private-sector organizations should promote more
positive attitudes towards sustainable consumption through education,
public awareness programmes and other means, such as positive
advertising of products and services that utilize environmentally sound
technologies or encourage sustainable production and consumption
patterns. In the review of the implementation of Agenda 21, an
assessment of the progress achieved in developing these national
policies and strategies should be given due consideration.
Means of implementation
4.27. This programme is concerned primarily with changes in
unsustainable patterns of consumption and production and values that
encourage sustainable consumption patterns and lifestyles. It requires
the combined efforts of Governments, consumers and producers.
Particular attention should be paid to the significant role played by
women and households as consumers and the potential impacts of their
combined purchasing power on the economy.
END OF CHAPTER 4
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