Sustainable Consumption and Production:

Transcription

1 Sustainable Consumption and Production: What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? Presented by: Michael Kuhndt Head of UNEP / Wuppertal Institute Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production

2 We consume and produce globally. The global economy in the morning Malaysia Canada Chad Ivory Coast Brazil Germany Italy India Germany Columbia Turkey Quelle: img.photobucket.com Netherlands Poland China Brazil Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 3

3 We consume and produce globally. Lifestyles in developed and developing countries Germany 80t per capita and year Bhutan 0.5t per resident and year Images Peter Menzel Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 4

4 We consume and produce globally. Lifestyles in developed and developing countries Japan 40t per capita and year China 8t per resident and year Images Peter Menzel Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 5

5 Our actions can make a difference. What drives purchasing decisions? What influences you on consumption?* Price 26,3% Quality Family 21,0% 20,1% My Finances 8,9% Reliability Myself 4,9% 6,3% Friends Brand Media Sustainability 2,2% 2,2% 1,8% 0,9% * First choice in survey question Source: Fien, Bentley, Neil - Young People as Agents of Change Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 6

6 Our actions can make a difference. How consumers can benefit from sustainability A comparison of life-cycle cost between a incandescent lamp and a CFL While the purchasing costs of energy efficient lamps is 5-20 times more than regular lights, they do not only save immensely in electricity costs, but have a much longer lifespan and therefore need less maintenance. Source: Energy Saving Trust (2006) Energy Efficient Lighting: Guidance for installers and specifiers, London. Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 7

7 Our actions can make a difference. What drives purchasing decisions? Barriers and Enablers Not convenient to my needs 29,5% Too expensive Not easily available 17,4% 19,6% Not enough information 11,2% No substitutes to everyday products Never thought about this before Too boring I choose sustainable things all the time Don't know any sust. products or services It is not necessary 6,3% 5,4% 3,6% 3,1% 3,1% 0,9% Source: Fien, Bentley, Neil - Young People as Agents of Change Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 8

8 Opps! Product information is spam ed. Too may messages, often confusing & overwhelming... Green, Eco, Bio, Fair, Sustainable, Safe Clever, Pure, Earth Friendly. The carbon footprint highlights simply one aspect of a product s impact The carbon footprint is the most important aspect of a product s impact Many label focus solely on the environmental dimension! MSC, FSC, Bio, Blue Angel, Best Alliance, Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 9 9

9 Opps! Product information is spam ed. Too may messages, often confusing & overwhelming... Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 10

10 Is business well positioned......to provide the right product choices and the right messages? Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 11

11 Supporting what to buy decision The strategy of Choice-editing Choice-editing means: Pre-selecting the particular range of products and services available to consumers. Choice-editing is seen by consumers as increasingly desirable as they look to others to organise the choices that they face. Which retailers practice choice-editing? B&Q edits out non-sustainable wood and sources only FSC labelled wood. Sainsbury s now only sells fair trade bananas Marks & Spencer only sells free-range eggs MEMO, German office supplier screens and lists best in class products available. Choice-editing was first mentioned by Sustainable Development Commission of the UK in the I will if you will Publication Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 12

12 Supporting what to buy decision How to put choice-editing in place? Consumption side Product Display For trade exhibitions or at a retailer store Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 13

13 Supporting what to buy decision How to put choice-editing in place? Production side: Product Pass Product Pass Short information about the product Link to Product Wikis and Product Databases Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products?

14 Supporting what to buy decision How to put choice-editing in place? Consumption side: Product Report Product Report In addition to a corporate report Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products?

15 Joint actions can make a difference. Toolbox of sustainable consumption attention of the consumer high Tax incentives, i.e. sales tax per climate impact Public Procurement Guidlines Standards, i.e. ISO Labeling Target variable for energy efficient technologies Establishment of sustainable communities (change of life-styles) Sustainability reports Environmental performance agreements (l) Cooperation with consumption organisations or consumption initiatives Sharing networks Retraction programmes, recycling programmes Choice-editing Product service systems Marketing and communitcation Interactive web portal Hotlines for efficient use of products Presentation of services and product sampling low Eco-Design Guidlines for sustainable use Transparency of the value creation chain by law cooperative supportive commitment of the enterprise Quelle: Matrix adaptiert von CSCP, WI, GTZ (2006) Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 16

16 Receive tips for everyday actions. Test your backpack... the consumption of natural resources. Team up and compare yourself! Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 17

17 Thank you! Michael Kuhndt UNEP/ Wuppertal Institute Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production tel ++49 (0) fax ++49 (0) Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products?

18 What is sustainable lifestyle? The lifestyle depends on... Balance between basic material standards, meeting basic needs, and non-material aspects of welfare. ECONOMY GENDER VALUES HABITS CULTURE EDUCATION SOCIAL BELONGING ATTITUDES Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 19

19 Is business well positioned......to provide the right product choices and the right messages? Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 20

20 Supporting what to buy decision How to put choice-editing in place? Production side Product Check Link to Product Wikis and Product Databases Michael Kuhndt What is the evidence of a growing demand for more sustainable products? 21