Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires an urgent reduction of our ecological footprints. This can be achieved by changing how we produce and consume both goods and resources. The importance of such systematic change is evidenced by current wasteful methods of agricultural production. Presently, the Agricultural Industry is the largest consumer of water, with irrigation practices using an estimated 70 percent of all global freshwater resources.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns.
While many people struggle to meet their basic nutritional needs, approximately one-third of all food produced ends up as food waste. It is therefore crucial to improve the efficiency of our production and supply chains. Transitioning to a more sustainable food production system would not only improve issues of food security and water scarcity, but also facilitate the transition towards a more resource efficient economy.
It is clear we must manage our shared resources, such as water, air and land, more efficiently to ensure a sustainable future. This can be achieved by encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to take greater responsibility in the disposal and management of toxic waste and pollutants resulting from their practices. Throughout all such transitions, concepts of recycling, waste reduction and sustainability must be centralized.
In addition, it is essential to support developing countries transition to more sustainable patterns of consumption and production by 2030. Indeed, a holistic and inclusive approach is required to meet the objectives of Goal 12.
Facts and figures
1.3 billion1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year, while almost 2 billion people go hungry or undernourished.
22%The food sector accounts for around 22 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, largely from the conversion of forests into farmland.
2 billionGlobally, 2 billion people are overweight or obese.
3%Only 3 percent of the world’s water is fresh (drinkable), and humans are using it faster than nature can replenish it.
US$120 billionIf people everywhere switched to energy efficient lightbulbs, the world would save US$120 billion annually.
20%One-fifth of the world’s final energy consumption in 2013 was from renewable sources.
