World Consumer Rights Day 2020

This World Consumer Rights Day (15 March 2020), consumer organisations around the world joined together to call for global changes to avert environmental breakdown. The #SustainableConsumer campaign rallied over 160 members in more than 100 countries across the globe, alongside Consumers International partners such the United Nations, to mark the day. We urgently need drastic action to address the global crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The decade of the 2020s is our last chance to limit global warming to 1.5c since pre-industrial times, in line with the Paris Agreement and to reverse the current trend of wide-scale biodiversity loss. Millions are already feeling the effects of climate change. Consumers have a vital role to play. Firstly, through their purchasing power – a global study found that 66% of consumers say they're willing to pay more for sustainable brands (a figure that rises to 73% for Millennials). But also, through their ability to push for system change in supply chains or changes in regulation. Consumers are already making changes to their lifestyle to be more sustainable – recycling, reducing food waste and avoiding unsustainable products, and they can make a bigger impact with further support from businesses and governments. A survey found 37% don't know how they can help tackle climate change and 59% feel they do not get enough support from governments, and 51% from business. Governments and businesses must also act to give consumers the information, choice and the infrastructure they need to live more sustainable lives. Consumers are critical to the success of any transition to more sustainable consumption but they cannot do it alone.