Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) has gained increasing importance to sustainability policy, featuring prominently in global policy frameworks, including the United Nations’ 10-year framework of programmes for SCP (10YFP) and as both Goal 12 and a cross-cuttting objective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The question remains if and how these international mandates are being translated to national policy. It is almost five years after the Rio+20 Conference that adopted the 10YFP and set the stage for the SDGs; progress of national-level SCP policymaking has not yet been systematically analysed; challenges and capacity needs governments towards realising these frameworks are not yet studied.
This presentation summarises findings from analysis of national-level SCP policies, from three perspectives: i) trends in recent SCP policymaking, ii) level of integration, and iii) challenges and capacity needs of national governments.
Considering the cross-cutting nature of SCP, an integrated approach is key. It requires policy that links sectors ranging from environment, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, to education. In the process of policy-making and implementation, multi-stakeholder and inter-ministerial coordination with sound institutional mechanisms are essential.
Data for the presentation is from a global survey of national SCP policies and initiatives, with responses to a questionnaire by more than 40 national governments. The survey was conducted by the 10YFP Secretariat under UNEP, and analysis is being led by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). It provides information on national SCP frameworks and institutional mechanisms, challenges and capacity needs; and over 270 national policies including natural resources and waste management, food, energy, climate change, green industry, and education. Responses were analysed by quantitative and qualitative methods including cross tabulation, text mining, and correspondence analysis. The data was cross-analyzed by the income level of countries and the inaugural years of policies, to highlight emerging policy trends and specific characteristics in different country clusters.
Preliminary results demonstrate that currently, integrated SCP policymaking shows: a) relatively high sectoral priority in energy, environmental protection, food and agriculture, and industrial development; b) moderate level of participation by NGOs, academic institutions, and business sector in the policymaking process. We also identified recent trends in SCP policies, showing an increase of policies addressing consumption aspects instead of solely addressing production. The analysis also revealed a clear difference in challenges and capacity needs by income level. High-income countries express challenges in shifting consumer behaviour and production patterns to less consumptive levels; they also highlighted importance of the long-term/systemic perspectives, while encouraging stronger stakeholder participation. On the other hand, low- to middle-income countries express strong needs for institutional and technical capacity building and resources mobilisation.
The results suggest the necessity to better engage countries in interpreting the SDGs and 10YFP from an integrative perspective, and for coordination mechanisms that operate across the traditional silo format of government ministries. Further implications on approaches by international organisations and aid agencies, suggest that current focus on capacity building and prioritization of programmes and projects may be incongruous with implementation needs that match demands of new SCP mandates.
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals , • Public policy and governance , • Sustainable consumption and production
