WHY SDG 12 MATTERS
There’s currently an unprecedented awareness and movement, both from brands and governments to combat plastic pollution and recycle. The 2019 edition of the World Economic Forum highlighted the importance of moving towards a circular economy, and how it could do much more than saving the planet – it could also create endless economic opportunities.
SDG #12 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
As defined by the Oslo Symposium in 1994, sustainable consumption and production (SCP) is about “the use of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardize the needs of further generations”.
Of all of the 17 UN SDGs, Goal #12 particularly speaks to industrial designers and design’s impact to make a positive difference in the world, such as more conscious efforts to use recycled and/or sustainable materials, or improved processes to increase product life cycles.
Changing our consumption and production patterns is an environmental and social priority.