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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 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 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
Photos: Located in The Environmental Atlas › Environmental Atlas of Europe › Ecovillage
Pilot fact sheets on national sustainable consumption and production policies: Taking stock of EU initiatives
Located in Publications
European progress towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP): A framework for indicator-based reporting
Located in Publications
Rising average size of newly completed dwellings: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Green tip - the mug: Located in Multimedia centre
Sustainable Consumption and Production: the way to a greener world: On July 16th 2008, the European Commission launched the Sustainable Consumption and Production package, which includes a legislative proposal and an Action Plan for sustainable development. The stakes are high, because if we do not change our means of consumption and production, in forty years time we will need double of the Earth's surface to be able to take in all our waste and CO2. We urgently need to reduce out environmental impact and consume in a more sustainable way.
Located in Environmental topics › Household consumption › Multimedia
Intelligent shopping: energy efficient appliances: European consumers aren’t fully aware of the advantages to be gained by new and efficient electrical appliances. When buying new appliances, it is essential for the consumer to be able to make a well-informed choice. The industry, pushed by the European Commission, has invested in products able to provide a high performance while reducing the environmental impact.
Located in Environmental topics › Energy › Multimedia