Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Economic and social progress over the last century have been accompanied by environmental degradation that is endangering the very systems on which our future development — indeed, our very survival — depends.
Sustainable development is about doing more and better with less. It is also about decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, increasing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable lifestyles. Looking at the 3 dimensions of sustainability – environment, society, economy – the production of goods needs to consider its real costs. Producing in a sustainable manner means using less resources, avoiding adverse impacts on the environment but also ensuring human and labor rights are respected along the value chain. Sustainable consumption can also contribute substantially to poverty alleviation and the transition towards low-carbon and green economies. The UN’s 2019 Climate Change report called for a change to human diet stating plant-based diets are indeed a major opportunity for mitigating and adapting to Climate Change.
Thus, in this new year ahead, EU Tech Chamber would like to raise awareness among organizations to find innovative solutions that enable sustainable production techniques and also want to call out to individuals to rethink consumption patterns, being thoughtful about food choices and its effects on the environment whenever possible.