Global Outlook on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Policies
Launch of Executive Summary
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Commission (EC) will be releasing the main findings of “The Global Outlook on SCP Policies”, on Wednesday, 21 March 2012, in New York, in the margins of the Rio+20 preparatory meetings.
“The Global Outlook on SCP Policies” presents various dynamic efforts around the world which are responding to the urgent need to shift towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns. We are currently facing deeply interlinked economic, social and environmental crises that stem, in large part, from current unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, and pose serious threats to human development. In order to improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people and protect the rich resources that nature provides, we need to put effective policies in place, to encourage social and technological innovation, and to stimulate public and private investment. This requires the engagement and action of Governments, business, civil society, consumers, educators, the media and all citizens.
Fortunately, these efforts have already begun in many parts of the world. “The Global Outlook on SCP Policies” provides a non-exhaustive review of policies and initiatives that are promoting the patterns. It also provides regional overviews of SCP policies and initiatives in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and in the UNECE and Arab regions.
Broad in scope and worldwide in coverage, “The Global Outlook” is illustrated by 56 case studies ranging from global multilateral agreements and regional strategies to specific policies and initiatives being implemented by Governments, businesses and civil society organizations and identifies examples of effective policies and initiatives being implemented worldwide.
A joint effort of UNEP and the EC, the report was prepared to inspire and encourage cooperation across the globe. It shows progress achieved in promoting SCP, highlighting best practices and offering recommendations to scale up and replicate these important efforts worldwide.
As we look forward to the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), we hope that this report will provide a framework and a set of concrete actions to advance sustainable development across the globe that will be followed up in the years to come.
The Global Outlook on SCP Policies is a continuing process of information sharing. We welcome your contributions at http://web2.unep.fr/globaloutlook/Login.aspx
The full report will be launched on 23 April 2012 at the Stockholm+40 Forum.
The Executive Summary will be available at www.unep.fr/scp/.
For further information, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected]