The issue of sustainable productionand consumption has been the subject of considerable interest since theconclusion of the Earth Summit in June 1992.
Agenda 21 states that: "the major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is the unsustainable pattern of consumption and production, particularly in industrialized countries, which is a matter of grave concern, aggravating poverty and imbalances" (Chapter 4.3)
The Soria Moria Conference (February 1994) proposed a working definitionof sustainable consumption as, "the use of goods and services thatrespond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimisingthe sue of natural resources, toxic materials and emissions of waste andpollutants over the life cycle, so as not to jeopardise the needs of futuregenerations."
Particular impetus to the discussions has been the two sessions hosted bythe Norwegian Ministry of the Environment in 1994 and 1995.
Oslo Roundtable on SustainableProduction and Consumption
Elements for an International Work Programme
on Sustainable Production and Consumption
The goal of the Oslo Ministerial Roundtablewas to prepare elements for an international work programme on sustainableproduction and consumption as mandated by the second session of the UN Commissionon Sustainable Development (CSD) in May 1994.
THE IMPERATIVE OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIONAND CONSUMPTION
[1.1 The need for change] [1.2 Defining sustainable consumption] [Global Dialogue] [1.3 Laying the foundations for action] [1.4 Linking production to consumption]
[A NEW DEVELOPMENT APPROACH] [UBUNTU - AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE ON LIFESTYLES] [TRANSPORT AND THE ENVIRONMENT] [ENVIRONMENTAL SPACE] [TOWARDS CLEANER PRODUCTION] [AN END-USE APPROACH TO ENERGY MANAGEMENT]