The use of the natural environment and resources in a way that continues to have detrimental effects on the world is the foundation of global consumption and development, which is a driving force of the global economy.
Over the last century, economic and social change has been followed by environmental deterioration, putting the mechanisms on which our future growth and survival depend in danger. The UN sustainable Goal 12 aims to slow this down since its motive is to, ‘Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.’
If human civilization continues to grow at its current pace, global resource consumption is expected to quadruple in the next two decades. Taking immediate action is critical, as there is tremendous potential for integrated solutions to increase resource extraction, energy usage, and waste management efficiency.
Continued and rapid urbanization is likely to result in substantial increases in electricity, land, and water use, placing a significant strain on natural resources in cities. These patterns, on the other hand, have the potential to influence customer perceptions and behavior.
Since government agencies are such big customers, they have a lot of negotiating power. They will help solve these challenges by influencing the production of innovative, environmentally sustainable goods and services through their buying decisions. Smart urbanization and planning may also aid in delinking development from negative environmental consequences and increased resource use.
Role of the government
Canada is determined to ensure that its citizens adopt sustainable consumption of natural resources. These are some of the steps it can take to promote sustainable consumption.
- Ensure that public procurement is sustainable, taking into account resource use and emissions.
- Short supply chains are encouraged to help minimize transportation and carbon emissions, improve supply chain transparency, and enable SMEs to participate.
- Improving waste management systems, promoting recycling, waste reduction, and waste recovery will contribute to a circular economy.
- Give people the information, resources, and infrastructure they need to select low-cost goods and services.
- Joining together with other local governments, consumers, companies, academia, and NGOs to learn from one another and advocate for sustainable procurement.
Multiple objectives
In order to achieve this goal, the Canadian government has a list of objectives it seeks to achieve by 2030, this includes:
- Implement the 10-year framework of programs on sustainable consumption and production, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries
- Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
- By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses
- Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
- Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
- Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
- Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
- Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Canada’s determination to provide sustainable consumption and production is a testimony of its desire to meet the U. N’s agenda will ensure a better quality of life for everyone living in Canada including immigrants.