Sustainable consumption

Sustainable consumption (including environmental or ethical consumption ) is part of a sustainable lifestyle and consumer behavior: buying environment - friendly and socially responsible products manufactured, can influence global political problems exercise to minimize the economic, ecological and social costs. A famous example of the global dimension of purchasing decisions are the efforts for fair trade. Consumers should take slightly more expensive goods of small producers from developing countries and thus support fair working conditions. Even otherwise, the purchase decision is crucial that considers mainly the operation and follow-up costs of a product. This applies to the later energy consumption as well as for the easy repairability or the longevity of the products.

Conceptual history

The emergence of the concept of sustainable consumption is in the context of the discussion about sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising ability of future generations to meet their own needs, at risk. The origin of the concept of sustainable consumption goes back to Chapter 4 of Agenda 21, which was adopted in 1992 to the so-called Rio Conference. Under the title "change of consumption habits " was required, specifically to deal with unsustainable production and consumption patterns and to develop a national policy to change the same. This reflects the fact into account that the demand of production structures and processes and controls that take place in the sphere of consumption even environmental pressures that hinder sustainable development. At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in September 2002, the development of a Ten - Year Framework Programme on Sustainable Consumption and Production was decided in the light of increasingly less sustainable production and consumption patterns. This program is referred to as so-called Marrakech Process.

A single universally accepted definition of the term " sustainable consumption " is missing, however, until today. A useful definition that underlies the work of consumer organizations, is the understanding of sustainable consumption is defined as the encryption or use of goods and services that meets the needs of consumers, protects the environment and resources, both socially acceptable and economically viable. This can be found in the definition of the three basic dimensions of sustainability, environmental protection and resource conservation, social acceptability, economic viability, again. These also feature the so-called three -pillar model of sustainability.

Renunciation of consumption

To sustainable consumption also includes the renunciation of consumption. This is at the heart consider whether you really need a new product or repair the old one, buy a used or can be prepared by upcycling an old a new product. End of November, the day of action for reduced consumption instead of buying - Nix - day, see also: Sufficiency (ecology )

Sustainable consumption by individual consumers

People who practice a sustainable lifestyle are called LOHAS (after eng. Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability ).

Sustainable consumption of companies and organizations

For sustainable consumption so far we think especially of individual consumers to spend less on companies in which one brings sustainable action primarily to Corporate Social Responsibility in connection. The focus is mostly on the supply chain or value chain that should be designed not only economically viable, but also socially and ecologically compatible with responsible companies. It is in most instances to the product itself or the manufacturing and delivery process.

Increasingly stronger focus device of sustainable consumption in the office operation.

Especially in the environmental area businesses and organizations to improve their environmental performance by the Green Office principle. In particular, the procurement and the behavior of the employees play an important role. To provide starting points for sustainable consumption in companies and organizations in the following areas:

• Energy and Resources - Examples: use of green electricity, own generation, for example, via photovoltaics, double -sided printing, turn off appliances and lights when not in use
• Mobility - Examples: company bicycles, job tickets, low-emission vehicles, aircraft or train instead - when flights are unavoidable - compensation of flights on climate protection projects
• Office Supplies and Equipment - Examples: purchase low energy and / or recycled office supplies, recycled paper
• Catering and event management - Examples: shopping if possible regionally and seasonally, prefer fair trade products

On the social dimension of sustainable consumption in companies and organizations is one next to the Fair Trade and the Workplace Health Management