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Consuming unsustainably: Key message: A major reason why consumption negatively affects the environment and causes over-use of resources is because the costs to society of environmental and resource degradation are not fully reflected in the prices of goods and services. Many goods are cheap even though they harm the environment, ecosystems or human health. (SOER 2010)
Located in Signals — every breath we take › Signals 2011 › Articles
Consumption and environment — key message 4: There is major potential for reducing environmental pressures caused by European consumption. Examples include shifting from car use to collective transport and bicycles, choosing high-quality and eco-labelled products and energy-efficient housing solutions. Another option is to channel additional income towards consumption areas with low environmental pressures per Euro spent, e.g. communications, education and sustainable leisure activities.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Consumption and the environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key messages
Consumption and environment — key message 5: Instigating such changes and making more resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable consumption patterns mainstream is a significant challenge. It requires public authorities to put the framework conditions in place to enable business and consumers/citizens to act sustainably, and business and citizens need to take action by adopting more sustainable production and consumption patterns.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Consumption and the environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key messages
Consumption and the environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: The consumption of goods and services in EEA member countries is a major driver of global resource use and associated environmental impacts. Growth in global trade is resulting in an increasing share of environmental pressures and impacts from European consumption taking place beyond Europe. Food and drink, housing, mobility and tourism are responsible for a large part of the pressures and impacts caused by consumption in the EU. Achieving significant reductions in environmental pressures and impacts will require changing private and public consumption patterns, to supplement gains achieved through better technology and improved production processes.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Consumption and the environment — 2012 update: Update to the European Environment State and Outlook 2010 (SOER 2010) thematic assessment
Located in Publications
Europe's environment — The fourth assessment: Located in Publications
European consumption still highly unsustainable, despite efficiency gains: Humanity’s growing appetite for bigger houses, overseas travel, food and consumer goods is the main cause of our most pressing environmental problems, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) which considers the links between the environment and consumption.
Located in News
European progress towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP): A framework for indicator-based reporting
Located in Publications
Globalisation, environment and you: New EEA report highlights connectivity between global issues
Located in Press room › News
Green Economy, Sustainable consumption and production and resource efficiency – what does that mean?: Concepts such as Green Economy, Resource efficiency and Sustainable Consumption and Production are currently discussed as pathways to reduce environmental pressures in Europe and beyond. But what do these concepts mean? The European Environment Agency has interviewed some selected key stakeholders - from government, business, non-governmental organisations and academia - and asked them for their understanding of these concepts.
Located in Environmental topics › Green economy › Multimedia