CASE STUDIES: Consumer Information in Costa Rica and Mexico
Five case studies from Costa Rica and four from Mexico were developed to showcase the best practices of companies on applying the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information to consumers
Unsustainable consumption and production patterns is the main cause of the triple planetary crisis we face nowadays, climate change, ecosystems degradation and pollution. Latin America and the Caribbean is strongly affected by the impacts of this crisis.
The limited knowledge and, in some countries, availability of consumer information tools and the influence they can have in enhancing competitiveness and sustainability of products leads to a number of challenges
Different approaches can be cited as ways to tackle this problem in the region: the development of new policies by governments, the strengthening of the regional ecolabel Alianza Ambiental de America, and the encouragement of consumer behaviour change through education.
Alongside these measures, it is possible to verify that businesses are also becoming more aware of their role in developing more sustainable modes of production. However, just embracing these practices is not enough. Companies should be able to communicate sustainability information in a clear, transparent, and reliable manner to their audience.
These new case studies developed by UNEP showcase how companies in Costa Rica and Mexico are carrying out this communication work when building their environmental claims, especially in application of the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information.
The nine case studies are available in English and Spanish:
A) Costa Rica
B) Mexico
Go further and explore more about this topic on our Product Sustainability Information page. There you can find information about the Guidelines, its application to the E-commerce setting, a Self-Assessment Tool, other case studies, and research reports.
If you’re interested in engaging and contributing to the Consumer Information programme and the working group on the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information, please reach out to ciscp@un.org!
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SDG 12 Targets
