Encouraging more sustainable consumption and production patterns through EcoAdvance

Context

Global consumption and production patterns that are not sufficiently sustainable contribute to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. In the Latin American and Caribbean region (LAC) – one of the largest biodiversity hotspots on earth – rising incomes and urbanisation have led to increased demand for goods and services. These are linked to increases in greenhouse gas (GHF) emissions, resource depletion and waste generation. More climate-sensitive production and consumption patterns are urgently needed. LAC has a vital role to play in achieving the Agenda 2030 goals, particularly Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 on responsible consumption and production.  

Public procurement has an average purchasing power equivalent to 15 to 20 per cent of national budgets. When combined with robust eco-labelling schemes for products and services that meet rigorous environmental criteria, it can significantly incentivise a shift towards sustainable production and consumption patterns.

Objective

The LAC region is moving towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns (SCP) that contribute to climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection and resource conservation.

Approach

The project supports Type-1 ecolabels and climate-sensitive Sustainable Public Procurement to encourage more sustainable consumption and production in high-impact sectors like food systems, construction, mobility, electronics, textiles, infrastructure and mining. It works by addressing the complexity of publicly communicating the environmental impacts of products and services, which is a major barrier to changing people’s behaviour.

EcoAdvance is a regional project focusing on activities in the LAC region. The implementing partners are the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), which has a leading role in ecolabelling activities, and the Öko-Institut, which provides strategic, technical and methodological advice to project partners and relevant actors.

Last update: April 2023