Sustainable Development Goal 12
"Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns"
Linkage with other SDGs
Transitioning to sustainable consumption and production patterns is essential for reducing environmental degradation, conserving resources, and fostering economic and social progress. SDG 12 promotes the efficient use of natural resources, minimises waste, and ensures equitable access to the benefits of sustainability.
The following direct and indirect interlinkages exist between SDG 12 and all other SDGs:
SDG 1 - No Poverty: Sustainable production systems create equitable economic opportunities for marginalised communities, reducing poverty through green jobs and fair wages. Example: Ethical trade initiatives in Rwanda have connected small-scale coffee farmers to international markets, improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger: Responsible production in agriculture ensures efficient use of resources, reduces food waste, and promotes sustainable farming practices that enhance food security. Example: In Japan, advanced technologies in food production and storage have minimised post-harvest losses, ensuring food availability.
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being: Reducing pollution from unsustainable production processes improves air and water quality, reducing health risks. Sustainable consumption also promotes healthier lifestyles. Example: Clean manufacturing practices in Sweden have reduced industrial emissions, improving air quality and reducing respiratory diseases.
SDG 4 - Quality Education: Education on sustainability empowers individuals, especially young people, to adopt responsible consumption habits and drive innovation in sustainable production. Example: Environmental education initiatives in Kenya have encouraged students to participate in community recycling projects.
SDG 5 - Gender Equality: Promoting sustainable production systems empowers women, particularly in agriculture and small-scale enterprises, by providing resources and fair market access. Example: Women-led sustainable farming cooperatives in India have improved gender equity and household incomes.
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation: Responsible production reduces industrial water pollution and conserves freshwater resources. Sustainable consumption ensures equitable access to clean water. Example: In South Korea, industrial wastewater treatment facilities have prevented water pollution and improved freshwater availability.
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Efficient energy use in production processes and the promotion of renewable energy reduce resource consumption and carbon emissions. Example: Solar-powered manufacturing facilities in Bangladesh have minimised energy costs and environmental impacts.
SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Responsible production creates jobs in the green economy, fostering economic growth without compromising sustainability. Ethical consumption drives demand for fair labor practices. Example: Eco-tourism initiatives in Costa Rica have created sustainable jobs while preserving the environment.
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Innovation in production technologies and sustainable infrastructure reduces environmental impacts and fosters resource efficiency. Example: Circular economy initiatives in Germany have revolutionised industrial systems, reducing waste and enhancing resource recovery.
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Equitable access to sustainable production systems and resources reduces economic and social disparities, enabling marginalised communities to participate in global markets. Example: Fairtrade programs in Ghana have empowered rural cocoa farmers, reducing income inequalities.
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Urban recycling systems and waste management initiatives reduce environmental pollution and improve the liveability of cities. Example: Waste-to-energy plants in Stockholm, Sweden, have provided clean energy while reducing urban waste.
SDG 13 - Climate Action: Sustainable production practices minimise greenhouse gas emissions, while responsible consumption drives demand for low-carbon products. Example: Carbon-neutral certification programs in New Zealand have incentivised industries to adopt climate-friendly production methods.
SDG 14 - Life Below Water: Reducing plastic and chemical pollution from production processes protects marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Example: Community-led beach cleanup programs in Indonesia have reduced ocean plastics, safeguarding marine life.
SDG 15 - Life on Land: Sustainable consumption and production reduce deforestation, habitat destruction, and land degradation. Ethical sourcing ensures the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems. Example: Sustainable palm oil production initiatives in Malaysia have reduced deforestation and preserved biodiversity.
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Transparent supply chains and ethical production practices reduce exploitation and corruption, fostering trust in institutions and promoting justice. Example: Ethical mining practices in Botswana have strengthened governance and improved community trust.
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Achieving responsible consumption and production requires collaboration across governments, industries, and civil society to share resources, expertise, and technologies. Example: The Global Alliance for Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency facilitates partnerships that promote sustainable production practices.
Consquence of failing to reach targets
The failure to establish responsible consumption and production patterns has widespread repercussions:
- Increased poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) due to inefficient resource distribution and environmental degradation.
- Escalated health crises (SDG 3) driven by pollution and exposure to harmful chemicals.
- Accelerated climate change (SDG 13) as unsustainable production continues to emit greenhouse gases and deplete resources.
- Irreversible damage to ecosystems (SDGs 14 and 15), threatening biodiversity and global environmental stability.
Responsible consumption and production are foundational for achieving sustainability. By shifting toward efficient and equitable systems, societies can drive progress across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
SDG 12: Targets, Indicators, Progress and Data
Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries.
12.1.1: Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production.
From 2019 to 2023, one-third of member states (63 countries) have reported 516 policy instruments related to sustainable consumption and production.
By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
12.2.2: Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP.
From 2015 to 2022, Domestic Material Consumption (DMC) increased by 5.8%, and Material Footprint (MF) rose by 6.8%. Regional disparities between DMC and MF continue to grow, particularly between regions where MF is higher than DMC (Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, Europe and Northern America, Northern Africa and Western Asia) and those where MF is lower than DMC (Central and Southern Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania), showing different patterns of material consumption and their corresponding environmental impact.
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.
12.3.1: (a) Food loss index and (b) food waste index.
In 2022, 19% of global food was wasted, totalling 1.05 billion tonnes, with household waste accounting for 60%. This waste generates significant greenhouse gas emissions, costing over $1 trillion annually, while 783 million people suffer from hunger. Addressing this issue is crucial for halving food waste by 2030, yet only 9 out of 193 countries have included food waste in their Nationally Determined Contributions as of 2022. Meanwhile, the percentage of food lost globally after harvest on farm, transport, storage, wholesale, and processing levels is estimated at 13.2% in 2021.
By 2020, 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 minimise their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement.
12.4.2: (a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment.
Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement:
- Minamata Convention on Mercury: Most Parties have met their obligations, with 94% appointing National Focal Points and 95% submitting complete national reports in 2023.
- Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions: Parties continue to make strides in meeting their obligations and in policy-making to keep pace with rapidly changing global circumstances, such as responding to the growing challenges created by contemporary waste streams such as plastic waste and e-waste, improving the procedure to control transboundary movements of wastes, and enlarging their scope with the listing of new chemical.
- Montreal Protocol: Parties consistently fulfil reporting obligations on the production and use of ozone-depleting substances, with 156 out of 198 ratifying the Kigali Amendment by January 2024, demonstrating an increased commitment to mitigating climate change under the Protocol.
By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.
In 2022, e-waste generation rose to 7.8 kg per capita from 6.2 kg per capita in 2015, but only 1.7 kg per capita was properly managed. Mismanaged e-waste leads to resource loss, increased use of virgin resources, and environmental hazards, underscoring the urgency for improved and environmentally sound management. (Refers to 12.4 also)
Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
12.6.1: Number of companies publishing sustainability reports.
In 2021-2022, 73% of companies included in the sample published sustainability reports, with the number of companies tripling since 2016. This growth was observed in all regions in 2022.
Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.
12.7.1: Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans.
In 2022, 67 national governments reported to UNEP on the implementation of Sustainable Public Procurement policies and action plans, up 50% from 2020.
By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.
Not reported on the UN SDG website.
Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
12.A.1: Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita).
Not reported on the UN SDG website.
Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
12.B.1: Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability.
Not reported on the UN SDG website.
Rationalise inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimising the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities.
12.C.1: Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies (production and consumption) per unit of GDP.
Fossil fuel subsidies hit a record high of $1.53 trillion in 2022, reversing the declining trend observed from 2012 to 2020. The post-COVID energy price surge inflated these subsidies, prompting some governments to introduce new support measures. Consequently, public funding for oil, coal, and gas production and consumption more than doubled from 2021 to 2022 and tripled since 2015, impeding progress towards net-zero transition.