European Commission Consultation on Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on actions the European Union could undertake to meet the challenges of Sustainable Consumption and Production and a Sustainable Industrial Policy. The aim of the internet-based consultation is to gather input from the public and stakeholders to help the Commission prepare Action Plans to address these challenges.
Putting consumption and production onto a sustainable path is a major global challenge that will require considerable technological innovation. Current patterns of consumption and production are leading to the rapid depletion or exhaustion of certain natural resources, such as oil reserves and fish stocks, as well as causing serious environmental degradation and pollution. The issue is a global one: several studies and assessments suggest that the current consumption and production already significantly exceeds what the planet can support in the long term.
The Commission aims to address these problems and turn environmental challenges into economic opportunities for EU industry, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving efficiency in use of energy and natural resources.
By developing robust sustainable consumption and production policies, the EU can make an important contribution to sustainability worldwide since Europe is one of the biggest consumers at global level and products are traded globally. European standards to foster sustainable consumption and production will tend to become global benchmarks.
The public consultation explores actions under five headings: Leveraging Innovation, Better Products, Leaner and Cleaner Production, Smarter Consumption and Global Markets. The Commission intends to focus its action on key environmental issues: climate change and the creation of a low-carbon economy; sustainable and efficient use of natural resources, energy and materials; and hazardous substances.
The general public and stakeholders are invited to give their views on the actions discussed by filling out the questionnaire at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu
The consultation will run until 23 September.
Source: http://europa.eu