The past decade has been the warmest on record, and extreme weather has become routine in many nations, disrupting lives and livelihoods. At the same time, biodiversity loss and pollution are posing a growing threat to planetary and human health. It is increasingly clear that the impact of these crises is not just environmental, but economic and social too and is undermining progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To remain within planetary boundaries, we will need to make fundamental changes to the way we eat, how we travel, how we heat, cool, and power our homes, and the products and services we buy and use. Yet it is essential that sustainable and healthy choices for consumers are made more available, accessible, and affordable. And that this transition is not at the expense of people’s basic rights and needs, but is instead an opportunity for advancement, delivering sustainable living for people as well as planet.
For World Consumer Rights Day 2025 on 15 March, Consumers International, together with its Members and partners, will unite in a global call for a Just transition to Sustainable Living. Together we will demand greater protection and empowerment for consumers in support of the dramatic turnaround we need to achieve global goals.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that action on consumption or ‘demand-side strategies’ could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-70% in key sectors by 2050. Similarly, ‘enabling sustainable consumption’ is one of the key targets established by the 2022 Global Biodiversity Framework.
It is also clear that without urgent action to protect our environment, many of the most serious challenges facing consumers will escalate substantially. Our failing food systems and dependence on fossil fuels have contributed significantly to rising food and energy prices around the world, while environmental pollution (including air, chemical, and plastic pollution) is already responsible for at least 9 million premature deaths each year.
There is significant public support for action, yet consumers face significant barriers to taking action. Our research showed that over 80% said they need stronger support from governments, businesses, and international organisations to make sustainable living more available, accessible, and affordable. Costs of living rises over the past five years has made it increasingly difficult for many to afford basic necessities, leaving little room for discretionary spending or lifestyle changes that require additional costs.
It is essential that we act now to deliver sustainable living – meeting people’s rights and needs without exceeding planetary boundaries.
Consumers International is calling for a Just Transition to Sustainable Living that:
- Upholds the legitimate needs of consumers. The includes access to essential needs such as food and energy, and the protection of people’s health and safety.
- Make sustainable and healthy choices more available, accessible, and affordable for all, rather than placing the onus of responsibility for the on individual consumers.
- Ensure consumer voices are heard at all levels of governance, as well as by businesses, with a focus on including and protecting vulnerable and low-income consumers.
- Recognises that pathways to sustainable living vary across contexts, what works in one setting may not be feasible or relevant in another, as local priorities and challenges shape unique approaches.
CI’s campaign will focus on sustainable living across core sectors including food, water, energy, mobility, consumer goods, housing, finance, and leisure.
Above is a news release (2/12/2024) from Consumers International. The original text, including more information about the campaign, is available here. Consumers’ Federation of Australia is a proud member of Consumers International.