Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12)—Responsible Consumption and Production—calls for sustainable use of natural resources and more efficient supply chains. Today, global consumption levels exceed the planet’s capacity to regenerate, with material use tripling since 1970 (UNEP, 2024).
The Waste Crisis
One-third of all food produced is lost or wasted, while global e-waste reached 59 million metric tons in 2022—much of it unmanaged or toxic (UNEP, 2024). Overconsumption is not only an environmental issue, but an ethical one, reflecting deep inequality in access to resources.
Toward Circular Economies
Businesses, governments, and consumers must transition toward circular models that reduce waste, reuse materials, and minimise environmental footprints. Responsible production also means safeguarding labour rights across global supply chains.
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