The German government's National Programme on Sustainable Consumption
The National Programme on Sustainable Consumption is a first step towards implementing the 2030 Agenda. It is meant to support efforts to bring German consumption patterns and lifestyles into harmony with the planet's limits. In order to achieve this, the programme is designed to expand on instruments and approaches that have been successful to date, but also to initiate new projects. The programme aims to make sustainable consumption possible and easy for everyone and to move sustainable consumption from a niche role into the mainstream. The programme explicitly addresses not only consumers, but also all relevant stakeholders including the business and trade sectors, civil society, the media, the scientific community, local authorities, religious bodies, etc. It also addresses the public sector, which must lead the way as a role model.
Sustainable consumption means living within the Earth's carrying capacity and ensuring that today's consumption patterns do not jeopardize the ability of current and future generations to satisfy their needs. The German government's National Programme on Sustainable Consumption describes the relevant fields of action and details specific measures for each one, some of which need further attention. The programme does not represent the end of a process but a way for Germany to drive the necessary structural change towards sustainability in the economy and society.
The National Programme on Sustainable Consumption is divided into five chapters.
The first chapter identifies aims and areas where there is a need for action, along with measures the German government has already initiated to address sustainable consumption. It illustrates that sustainable consumption is a real possibility but that there are still obstacles to be eliminated.
The second chapter explores the principle of sustainability and develops key ideas for a sustainable consumption policy.
The third chapter describes cross-cutting approaches designed to systematically strengthen and expand sustainable consumption with the help of specific proposals for action. The programme addresses the following cross-cutting approaches: A debate within society, Education, Consumer information, Environmental and social labels, Ecodesign, Sustainable public procurement, Research on sustainable consumption, Social innovations, and Monitoring sustainable consumption.
In addition to these cross-cutting fields of action, six fields of need –including respective measures – that are particularly relevant to sustainable consumption are addressed in the programme's fourth chapter: Mobility, Food, Home, Workplace and Office, Clothing, Leisure and Tourism.
The fifth chapter explains how institutional support for the programme works and how stakeholder involvement will continue to be guaranteed.
Supporting document(s)
nachhaltiger_konsum_broschuere_en_bf.pdf
Download
Image
