To "improve the quality of life for everyone within the Earth’s carrying capacity" is the core interest of Agenda 21 and of all who care for sustainability. Given the insight that only limited resources are available to fulfil this goal, it is necessary to develop economies which are less consumptive via different and more effective production and consumption patterns. To reach this goal is not only a question of scientific or technical improvement; it is first and foremost a question of which values drive societal progress and of political will to make the necessary changes.
This means developing a wider vision of welfare, within a truly global context, where sufficiency and the satisfaction of needs, rather than production and consumption as a mechanism for economic growth, is the aim. Sustainability requires acknowledging the need for, and accepting the responsibility of prioritizing respect and care for the greater community of life. This would need to take account of ‘equal rights’ for ‘environmental space’ and development possibilities for developing countries.
SCP is at the core of and a prerequisite for sustainable development. If consumption and production patterns are not addressed sustainable development is not going to take place. Consumption and Production patterns have an impact on a variety of interlinked issues such as Climate Change, Biodiversity, etc. A selection of key issues is listed below. ANPED aims to bring together information on these issues with a view to highlight the inter-linkages with SCP.
As a first step information on Climate Change is made available. Special pages on the other issues will follow in due course throughout 2009 and 2010.
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Sustainable Production
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Green Economy
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Education and Participation
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Environment and Health
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Biodiversity
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Environmental Rights
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National Sustainable Development Strategies
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Local Action
