Sustainable consumption and production

Sustainable consumption and production (SCP) is at the core of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically addressed by SDG 12. This goal aims to "ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns," acting as a cross-cutting theme that feeds into other SDGs such as those related to climate change, poverty, health, and sustainable cities.

SCP involves using services and products in a way that minimizes environmental damage, preserves natural resources, and promotes social equity. The purpose is to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, which means pursuing economic development in a way that can be sustained by the planet over the long term. SCP requires changes at all levels of society, from individuals to businesses to governments.

At the individual level, SCP implies making lifestyle choices that reduce environmental impact. This might include reducing, reusing, and recycling waste, choosing products with less packaging, and opting for more sustainable forms of transport like cycling or public transport.

For businesses, SCP entails adopting sustainable business models and practices. This could include improving resource efficiency, investing in renewable energy, designing products that are durable and recyclable, and ensuring fair labor practices.

At the government level, SCP involves implementing policies that support sustainable business practices and incentivize sustainable consumer behavior. This might involve regulations to reduce pollution, subsidies for renewable energy, and campaigns to raise awareness about sustainable consumption.

SCP also plays a role in several other SDGs. For example, sustainable production practices can help mitigate climate change (SDG 13) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, by reducing the pressure on natural resources, SCP supports the goals related to life below water (SDG 14) and life on land (SDG 15).

While progress has been made in certain areas, challenges remain in achieving the shift towards SCP. These include existing patterns of overconsumption, limited awareness about the impacts of consumption, and the need for technological innovation to enable more sustainable production.

Elsevier,

Energy Nexus, Volume 9, March 2023, 100181

This Article supports SDGs 7, 11, and 8 by presenting an alternative means of agricultural transport utilizing solar-powered farm rickshaws versus the traditional fossil fuel vehicles.
Reducing emissions and improving environmental conditions are now a global priority for promoting sustainable growth and preventing the adverse consequences of global warming and climate change.
Elsevier,

The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 7, Issue 2, February 2023, Pages e147-e154

This Article supports SDGs 3 and 13 by estimating how global income inequality might have to be reduced in order to ensure both decent living standards and reductions in global energy use for planetary health.
This paper concludes that ASF (animal-source foods) production generally has a large environmental impact; yet, when produced at an appropriate scale and in accordance with local ecosystems and contexts, livestock can play an important role in circular and diverse agroecosystems that, in certain circumstances, can help restore biodiversity and degraded land, mitigate Green House Gas emissions from food production, and contribute to food security and nutrition for populations worldwide.
Elsevier,

Wind Energy Engineering: A Handbook for Onshore and Offshore Wind Turbines, Volume , 1 January 2023

This chapter supports UN SDGs 7 and 13 by studying the impact of climate change on offshore wind operation, which is a key renewable energy source that will continue to grow as part of the energy transition and climate action.
Elsevier,

Deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage: Insights, Case Studies, and Key Learnings, Volume , 1 January 2023

This chapter advances UN SDG goal 12 and 13 by presenting an overview of CCS technologies and how they support the reduction of carbon emissions.
Elsevier,

The Journal of Climate Change and Health, Volume 10, March–April 2023, 100195

This short communication reports on a new research agenda for understanding and advancing Planet Health Equity (PHE).
Elsevier,

Synthesis of Bionanomaterials for Biomedical Applications, Micro and Nano Technologies Series, 2023, Pages 493-528

This chapter aligns with Goals 12 and 13 by reviewing the ongoing research and development activities on the positive and harmful effects of NPs on the environment. First, the emission of NPs is described, then legislation and later the advantages and disadvantages of NPs toward the environment are highlighted. The possible consequences on human health and the environment, both negative and positive, are crucial issues that need to be addressed.
This article supports SDG's 3, 6, and 11 by illustrating the reduction of pollutants using various microbial techniques. Strategy and recommendations are summarized, along with the future prospects.
This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 9 and 12 by considering the benefits of digitizing food supply chains using Internet of Things, blockchain, and AI.

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