We are currently living in an era of consumption. As human beings, our consumption rate has increased massively and it is expected that our production capacity much match. Our planet has been gifted with several resources that we have unfortunately not responsibly utilised. Our planet currently provides way above its capacity to meet our needs as consumers. Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production are the current root cause of the triple planetary crises. These crises are Climate change, pollution and Biodiversity loss. We have tackled these crises previously however we have not had the opportunity to tackle them as a sustainable goal. Sustainable Goal 12 strives to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, the question is how does it plan to do this?

OUR REALITY

Our major target as a planet is to achieve responsible consumption and production. With this in mind, irresponsibility is a valid middle name for us as a people. According to the United Nations, 13.3% of the world’s food is lost after harvesting on its way to the retail market and 17% of food is wasted at the consumer level. It’s no wonder we have so much waste and little capacity to dispose of it today.

Our reliance on natural resources has increased by 65% by the year 2019 and this percentage has likely increased. With this, a vast majority of our E-waste is not being safely managed which alone carries its repercussions.

TARGETS TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.

• IMPLEMENT THE 10-YEAR SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION FRAMEWORK
  For the implementation of the 10‑Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns to occur, all countries are required to take action, with developed countries taking the lead. However, we must take into account the development and capabilities of developing countries.

• SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT AND USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES
  By 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

• 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.

• RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICALS AND WASTE
  By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, by agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

• SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE WASTE GENERATION
  By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

• ENCOURAGE COMPANIES TO ADOPT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING
  Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.

• PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PRACTICES
  Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, by national policies and priorities.

• PROMOTE A 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.

• 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.

• DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT TOOLS TO MONITOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
  Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.

• REMOVE MARKET DISTORTIONS THAT ENCOURAGE WASTEFUL CONSUMPTION
  Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities.

WHAT ARE WE TO DO.

1. Find a Goal 12 charity you want to support. Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!

2. Shop, eat and drink locally. Supporting neighborhood businesses keeps people employed and circulates money back into your community.

3. Be conscious of packaging – the less the better!

4. Buy second-hand whenever you can.

5. Do some research and buy from companies you know have sustainable practices and don’t harm the environment.

6. Download and use food sharing applications. You can download apps to donate your leftover food and decrease the amount of food waste you produce.

7. Choose reusable products. Use an eco-bag for shopping, a reusable water bottle or a cup to reduce your plastic waste.

8. Advocate for corporate responsibility. Join petitions and campaigns calling out businesses with unsustainable practices.

“No production without a need. But consumption reproduces the need.”

— Karl Marx