Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns: 10-Year Programme Framework

Known globally as 10YFP, the ten programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns are construed as a framework to enhance international cooperation and quicken the shift towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns across the globe, with the developed countries assisting those developing. This framework has come into existence at the United Nations Convention on Sustainable Development in June 2012.

The 10YFP aims at developing, replicating, and scaling up SCP and resource efficiency initiatives at all levels and intends to decouple environmental degradation and economic growth, thereby increasing the net contribution of economic activities to resource, poverty alleviation, social development, and environmental sustainability. The framework aids the capacity building of countries and facilitates access to technical and financial assistance for developing countries for making the shift.

The major objectives of the programme are:

1. To build the case for Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) as a tool to promote sustainable consumption and production as well as to support greener economies

2. To support the implementation of SPP on the ground through increased collaboration and better access to capacity-building tools.

Some of the key mechanisms to be implemented at the regional and national levels include,

1. Launching of the SPP programme

2. Consumer Information

3. Sustainable Tourism, including ecotourism

4. Sustainable Lifestyles and Education

5. Sustainable Lifestyles and Education

6. Sustainable Food System

Since 2019, countries have struggled to eradicate and recover from a pandemic and in 2020 roughly 255 million full-time jobs worth USD3.7 trillion in wages, were lost. The projected cumulative financial losses during 2020 and 2021 were nearly USD8.5 trillion. Progress on global sustainability goals was off track before the pandemic and for the first time in over 20 years, more people were pushed back into extreme poverty than those who managed to come out and the sudden pause in ecotourism activities resulted in drying up of financial resources for conservation and development.

Progress on sustainable consumption and production continues to be limited with the pandemic deteriorating the progress made by several countries. The results to date showcase localised positive impacts but have been unequal, and diffuse not matching the scale, speed and scope needed to implement the transformational shifts required.

To efficiently implement the 10-Year Framework, the countries that were left behind in transitions towards sustainable consumption and production need to be uplifted. There is no “one size fits all” solution, rather we require a customised solution based on geographical location, culture, people, and other factors. Developed countries need to take the lead and aid developing countries regarding finance, manpower and equipment. The future action for sustainable consumption and production needs to ensure that no one is left behind, by amplifying national-level support and implementation, including through intensified collaboration across United Nations entities and by providing platforms for global partnerships.

Collectively, we can change this World.