Goal 12. Sustainable consumption & production

Responsible Consumption and Production

ICTs and responsible consumption and production are linked in two ways: increased dematerialization and virtualization as well as innovative ICT applications enabling sustainable production and consumption. Cloud computing, smart grids, smart metering, and reduced energy consumption of ICTs all have a positive impact on reducing our consumption. However, ICTs themselves require energy consumption. Therefore, effective policies are needed to ensure the negative impacts of ICTs, such as e-waste, are minimized.

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Case study – Thailand

In Thailand, an application has been developed to help farmers in planning their cultivation and harvest by accessing weather information. The application, called APP FONLUANG, was designed for use by government authorities, farmers and the general public, and delivers specific information on rainfall as well as cloud-seeding (atmospheric modification) actions. Farmers can use the app to request cloud-seeding operations in their own area. For government agencies, the app provides a crucial data collection tool allowing the situation nationwide to be analyzed, with the aim of addressing water shortages both in terms of agriculture and consumption.
Related links:
FONLUANG and WSIS Stocktaking

Sound Bite

"Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned; only then will we realize that one cannot eat money."

Native American Saying

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Goal & Targets SDG-12

Approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption in the world is lost or wasted. If food waste was cut by a quarter, world famine could be solved.¹

¹ Source: FAO

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

12.1 Implement the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries.
12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
12.3 By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.
12.8 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
12.a Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
12.b Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
12.c Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities.