UN 2030 Agenda

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals created by the United Nations are a plan for 2030, which includes various tasks in the field of equalizing opportunities in the world. These goals include: improving the quality of the environment (water, air, etc.), gender equality and the elimination of hunger in the world. The tasks set for the implementation of Objective 12 on responsible consumption and production are:

• implementation of 10-year sustainable consumption and production programmes, led by developed countries;
• sustainable management and efficient use of resources by 2030,
• halving food waste by 2030
• environmental management of chemicals and waste by 2020,
• significant reduction of waste through prevention, recycling and reuse by 2030;
• supporting companies in sustainability practices and reporting,
• promotion of sustainable public procurement,
• raising awareness and access to information on sustainable lifestyles by 2030
• scientific and technological support of developing countries for sustainable development,
• development of tools to monitor sustainable tourism and promote local culture,
• rationalization of fossil fuel subsidies with the protection of vulnerable communities.

Why is sustainable consumption and production so important to achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals? Because it changes our thinking about the efficient use of resources and energy, infrastructure, improving the availability of basic services or creating decent jobs. Patterns based on efficiency, but at the same time sustainable use of goods, help to realize development plans that de facto serve the whole community and not just a narrow group of people. In addition, these patterns can help reduce economic costs - and this is a great benefit for those for whom numbers matter. To the advantages can also be added the reduction of environmental and social costs, as well as the strengthening of economic competitiveness and the reduction of the scale of poverty.

Promoting a culture of sustainable development, that is, sustainable consumption and production, is a reversal of the narrative that dominated the belief that profits are best achieved through the least consumption of resources, speed and lack of attention to quality in exchange for the pursuit of quantity. Of course, this is related to the pace imposed by unlimited production, to which technological development contributed and, unfortunately, still, in many places, the lack of respect for labor rights and slavery.

Sustainable consumption and production require organised action and cooperation from all actors in the supply chain, from producers to consumers. This process includes education and other initiatives aimed at consumers that aim to increase their awareness of sustainable lifestyles. These include conducting information campaigns on standards and product labelling and involving consumers in public procurement processes.

How does a growing population affect the consumption of natural resources?

Actions aimed at sustainable development are necessary for the reason that global consumption of natural resources has tripled in the last 50 years (according to UN data from 2024), which could lead to an increase of another 60% by 2060. Failure to take action can therefore prove disastrous in the context of the allocation of resources and goods. Imagine that more and more societies do not have access to resources such as water and, consequently, food and basic products. Resources are also the fuel that helps to move, for example, to urban centers, where there are more jobs or access to services. It is a system of connected vessels, and often from one lack and neglect the next arises.

According to the “Global Resources Outlook” report prepared by the UN International Resource Panel under the United Nations Environment Programme, the global consumption of natural resources by 2060 will increase by 60% compared to 2020. The document highlights that over the past five decades, the use of materials has more than tripled. These resources include, among others, food crops, firewood, fossil fuels, metals (such as iron, aluminum and copper), non-metallic minerals, as well as land and water.

Every aspect of our lives is affected by a crazy pace of development. As exploitation is the main cause of the triple planetary crisis, the UN has defined it as a climate crisis, a loss of diversity and a crisis of pollution.

In one of the articles of the World Economic Forum, there is a table showing a map of the risks that are expected in the coming years. Below is our own elaboration.

On the one hand, development helps us a lot and can improve the quality of life in a short time, but on the other hand, a further lack of sustainability can turn against us. A good example of this is in developing countries, where the dynamic development of infrastructure and the construction sector, driven by the increasing use of non-metallic minerals (such as sand, gravel or cement), has significantly improved living conditions. The construction of new roads, energy networks, schools and hospitals increased access to public services, and the modernization of urban spaces contributed to the development of local economies. However, the intensive exploitation of raw materials entails an increasing burden on the environment, which requires the introduction of more sustainable production methods and resource management. The pressure to reduce the negative impact of economic activity on the planet is growing - how is business reacting? We could say that... good! But isn't that just a theory? In their declarations, as many as 95% of the world's largest companies declare carbon reduction targets, and many of them implement climate neutrality strategies by investing in renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and innovative technologies to reduce emissions. This trend indicates a gradual shift from a reactive approach to the environment towards a proactive model in which sustainability becomes an integral part of corporate strategies. However, when reading such data, it is difficult not to doubt and believe that such optimistic measurements translate into real actions... There is a risk that some of them remain only in the sphere of communication strategies and the so-called. greenwashing — activities that are intended to create the image of the company as environmentally responsible, without introducing profound changes in the business model. The real effectiveness of the initiatives taken therefore requires not only declarations, but also transparent reporting of progress and verifiable results. You can read more about green transformation here: Sustainable Development Goal: Access to affordable and clean energy.

Why is access to clean water a global challenge?

Water is one of the most important resources on Earth and only 0.5% of the Earth's water is available as drinking water, and its resources are unevenly distributed. This means that not everyone has and will have enough. The excessive extraction of groundwater, especially in regions such as the North China Plateau, northwestern India or the Valley of Central California, leads to the formation of “mega-dry” areas that contribute to sea level rise. As a result of these problems, more than 2 billion people in the world still lack access to safe drinking water.

As he gives Livescince.com: Nearly 70% of this water loss is due to uncontrolled groundwater abstraction, which removes water from deep aquifers and eventually transfers it to the ocean, the researchers found. As the rate of evaporation caused by climate change increased, this caused the rapidly drying “hot spots” to merge into four “mega-drying” regions, the researchers said.

Access to water alone is not enough - a common case, for example, in Africa is access to water, which is contaminated or dirty and as a result more and more people start to get sick. Accompanying climate change, causing an increasingly elevated temperature of the Earth, make the vision of water scarcity more and more real. Another cause for concern is that the limited water supply combined with the terrain where the war is taking place can result in cruel control, unethical sales or other practices that lead to monstrous situations.

How do energy and food affect the environment and society?

The energy sector and the food production system are key elements of the functioning of modern economies, but at the same time they are among the greatest sources of environmental pressure. Households consume about 29% of global energy, accounting for 21% of carbon dioxide emissions. This means that everyday consumer choices - from how homes are heated to the use of electrical appliances - have a direct impact on the climate. However, let us remember that consumer choices, although important, are often associated with a lack of alternatives - this applies among others. more expensive ecological solutions and are sometimes caused by a lack of knowledge. Choices matter, but advertising and the pervasive subliminal message that inspires us to buy — too. It is therefore worth looking at the activities of fuel and energy companies instead of focusing solely on the individual consumer.

The production and consumption of food is also associated with a heavy burden on the environment. It is estimated that they account for about 30% of the world's energy consumption and generate 22% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Intensive agriculture, food processing and transportation require huge energy costs and lead to ecosystem degradation.

An additional factor is the impact of climate change on food security. Extreme weather events, droughts or floods cause a decrease in yields, which, combined with rising production costs, leads to an increase in food prices. As a result, this problem affects not only the environment, but also the socio-economic stability of many regions of the world.

Summary — Why Goal 12 is the foundation of the future

Responsible consumption and production is not only one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, but the key to solving many global problems - from the climate crisis to social inequality. Achieving Goal 12 requires cooperation between governments, business and consumers, as well as fair progress reporting. Only then will it be possible to combine economic development with environmental protection and improve the quality of life for all.

Sources:

1. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/03/sustainable-resource-consumption-urgent-un/

2. http://www.un.org.pl/cel12

3. https://jobsdoor.eu/pl/aktualnosci/cel-zrownowazonego-rozwoju-dostep-do-przystepnej-cenowo-i-czystej-energii-CEAuw73KKCqqc9e4ea7w

4. https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/climate-change/like-a-creeping-mold-thats-spreading-across-the-landscape-separate-dry-areas-around-the-world-are-merging-into-mega-drying-regions-at-an-alarming-rate-study-finds?

5. https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/kpmg-the-state-of-sustainability-at-the-worlds-top-firms?

6. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water?

7. https://ourworldindata.org/what-no-safe-water-means?