What is Sustainability, Twelfth goal of the UN 2030 agenda: Sustainable production and consumption

THEUnited Nations 2030 agenda It placed as a global objective that of “Satisfying the needs of the present generation without compromising those of the future generation”, this is the diktat of our times. Sustainable production and consumption, twelfth objective: "To guarantee sustainable production and consumption models"

Sustainable consumption and production means the promotion of resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, as well as ensuring access to basic services, decent and environmentally friendly jobs and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation contributes to the implementation of overall development plans, to the reduction of future economic, environmental and social costs, to the improvement of economic competitiveness and to the reduction of poverty.
Consumption and sustainable production aim to "do more and better with less", increasing the benefits in terms of well-being derived from economic activities, through the reduction of the use of resources, degradation and pollution in the entire production cycle , thus improving the quality of life. This involves different stakeholders, including businesses, consumers, policy makers, researchers, scientists, retailers, media and development cooperation agencies. For this, a systematic and cooperative approach is needed between subjects active in the supply chains, from the producer to the consumer. This also requires engaging consumers in consumer awareness and sustainable lifestyles initiatives, providing them with adequate information on standards and labels, and involving them, among other things, in sustainable public procurement.

Facts and figures

• Each year, about a third of the food produced, corresponding to 1,3 billion tons, worth about one trillion dollars, ends up in the garbage of consumers and traders, or goes bad due to transport systems or inadequate agricultural practices
• If the world population were to use energy-saving light bulbs, it would save 120 billion dollars a year
• If the world population reached 9,6 billion a year by 2050, it would take three planets to meet the demand for natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.

1. Acqua

• Less than 3 percent of the world's water is drinkable, of which 2,5 percent is frozen in Antarctica, the Arctic and glaciers. Humanity must therefore rely on 0,5 percent to meet man's and ecosystem's needs for drinking water
• Man is polluting the world's water faster than the natural ability to regenerate and purify water in rivers and lakes
• More than a billion people still lack access to safe water
• Excessive use of water contributes to global water stress
• Water is a free commodity, but the infrastructure needed to transport it is expensive.

2. Energy

• Despite technological advances that have promoted an increase in energy efficiency, energy use in OECD countries will continue to grow by another 35% by 2020. The energy use of businesses and homes is the second largest sector after. transport for growth in energy use
• In 2002, the car stock in OECD countries was 550 million vehicles (75% of which are personal cars). By 2020, a 32% increase in owned vehicles is expected. In the same period, an increase of 40% in the kilometers traveled by motor vehicles is expected, together with the tripling of world air traffic
• Households consume 29% of global energy, contributing to 21% of CO2 emissions
• In 2013, one fifth of the world's total energy consumption came from renewable sources.

3. Food

• While a significant environmental impact in the food sector occurs starting from the production phases (agriculture and agro-food sector), families influence this impact through food choices and habits. This, in turn, has an impact on the environment through the energy consumed for food production and waste generation
• 1,3 billion tons of food are wasted every year, while nearly 1 billion people suffer from malnutrition and another billion go hungry
• Excessive consumption of food produces harmful effects on our health and the environment
• 2 billion people worldwide are overweight or obese
• Phenomena of soil degradation, land drying, unsustainable use of water, over-exploitation of fishing and the degradation of the marine environment reduce the ability of natural resources to provide food production
• The food sector accounts for 30% of total energy consumption, and is responsible for 22% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Goals

12.1 Implement the Ten-Year Framework of Programs for Sustainable Consumption and Production, involving all countries, with developed countries at the helm, but also taking into account the development and capacities of developing countries

12.2 By 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

12.3 By 2030, halve global food waste per capita at the retail and consumer level and reduce food losses across production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses

12.4 By 2020, achieve eco-friendly management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release into air, water and soil to minimize their negative impact on human health and the environment

12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

12.6 Encourage businesses, especially large multinational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their annual reports

12.7 Promote sustainable public procurement practices, in accordance with national policies and priorities

12.8 By 2030, ensure that all people, everywhere in the world, have the relevant information and the right awareness of sustainable development and a lifestyle in harmony with nature

12.a Support developing countries in strengthening their scientific and technological capacities, to achieve more sustainable consumption and production patterns

12.b Develop and implement tools to monitor the impacts of sustainable development for sustainable tourism, which creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

12.c Rationalize inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage waste by eliminating market distortions in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation systems and phasing out those harmful subsidies, if any, to reflect their environmental impact , taking into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible negative effects on their development, so as to protect the poor and the most affected communities

Ercole Palmeri: Innovation addicted

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