SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production...Sustainable Consumption and Production1. The Swedish policy agenda around SCP is described in Box 1 below. Table 1. SDG 12 targets,

StockholmEnvironmentInstitute

SDG12:ResponsibleConsumptionandProduction–AReviewofResearchNeeds 1

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SDG12:ResponsibleConsumptionandProduction

Areviewofresearchneeds

AnnextotheFormasreportForskningförAgenda2030:Översiktavforskningsbehovochvägarframåt

November2018

StefanieChan,NinaWeitz,ÅsaPersson,CasparTrimmer



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Citethisannexas:Chan,S.,Weitz,N.,Persson,Å.andTrimmer,C.(2018).SDG12:ResponsibleConsumptionandProduction.AReviewofResearchNeeds.TechnicalannextotheFormasreportForskningförAgenda2030:Översiktavforskningsbehovochvägarframåt.StockholmEnvironmentInsitute,Stockholm.



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TableofcontentsSummary...................................................................................................................................4

1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................8

1.1 Methodandapproach...........................................................................................................10

2 ThestateofresearchonSDG12.....................................................................................12

3 Theme1:Cross-cuttingissues.........................................................................................14

3.1 Systemperspectives..............................................................................................................14

3.2 Consumptionpatternsandconsumerbehaviour..................................................................15

3.3 Monitoringandindicators.....................................................................................................18

4 Keytheme2:Naturalresourcemanagement.................................................................19

4.1 Globalmaterialuseandefficiency........................................................................................19

4.2 Theroleofconsumptioninnaturalresourcemanagement..................................................19

4.3 Linkingresearchwithpolicyandpracticalneeds..................................................................20

5 Keytheme3:Foodwasteandloss..................................................................................20

5.1 Foodloss................................................................................................................................21

5.2 Consumerfoodwaste............................................................................................................22

5.3 Betterdataonfoodsystems.................................................................................................22

5.4 Researchonanintegratedsupplychainapproach...............................................................22

6 Conclusions....................................................................................................................23

References..............................................................................................................................23



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SummarySustainableDevelopmentGoal(SDG)12callsforresponsibleconsumptionandproduction,essentiallydecouplingeconomicgrowthfromunsustainableresourceuseandemissionsandimprovingthemanagementofhazardoussubstancesandwaste.Inparticularitcallsforimplementationofthe10-YearFrameworkofProgrammesonSustainableConsumptionandProduction(SCP),forefficientuseofnaturalresources,forcuttingfoodandotherwaste,forresponsiblemanagementofchemicals,forsustainablepublicprocurementandforcompaniestoadoptmoresustainablepractices.

ThisstudydemonstratestheuseofamethodologycombiningliteraturereviewwithanexploratoryexpertworkshoptoidentifyresearchneedsrelatedtoSDGgoalsandtargets,inthiscaseaselectionoftargetsunderSDG12andarelatedtargetfromSDG8(seetable1).ThetargetswereselectedastheypointedmostclearlytoresearchquestionsthatcouldcontributeinimportantwaystotheachievementoftheSDGs.

Basedontheselectedtargets,weidentifiedthreekeythemes:(i)issuescuttingacrosseffortstoadvanceSCP;(ii)sustainablenaturalresourcemanagement;and(iii)reducingfoodwasteandloss.AlthoughthefocuswasontheSwedishcontext,theliteraturereviewinparticularsoughttoidentifyresearchneedsinbothdevelopinganddevelopedcountrycontexts.

GiventhebroadscopeofSDG12andthefieldofSCP,thisstudyshouldbeseenmoreasaproofofconceptratherthanasacomprehensivelistofresearchneedsrelatedtoSDG12.

FindingsSomegeneralchallengeswereidentified,alongwithspecificresearchneedsrelatedtoSDG12undereachofthreethemes.Belowisaselectionofthese.

Generalchallenges

• ThequalitativeratherthanquantitativenatureofSDG12makesitdifficultforcountriestomeasuretheirachievements

• Theglobaltotalandpercapitamaterialfootprintofconsumptioncontinuestoincrease,althoughmanyregionshavebeensuccessfulinreducingdomesticmaterialconsumption.Politicaleffortsneedtoshiftfromincreasingefficiencytodecreasingoverallconsumption,andfromidentifyingproblemstofindingsolutions

• UpscalingofgoodSCPexampleshasbeendifficult,andmoreresearchisneededonhow

• Consumers,businessesandpublic-sectordecision-makerslackknowledgeaboutSCP,andthereisneedtobridgedifferentactors’knowledgeaswellastobetterbridgescienceandconcreteapplications.

Theme1:Cross-cuttingissues

Systemicissues

• Integratingknowledgeaboutthewholesupplychain,fromproductiontoconsumption



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SDG12targets,andthosecoveredinthisstudy(bold)

SDG12:Ensuresustainableconsumptionandproductionpatterns

12.1 Implementthe10-yearframeworkofprogrammesonsustainableconsumptionandproduction,allcountriestakingaction,withdevelopedcountriestakingthelead,takingintoaccountthedevelopmentandcapabilitiesofdevelopingcountries

12.2 By2030,achievethesustainablemanagementandefficientuseofnaturalresources

12.3 12.3By2030,halvepercapitaglobalfoodwasteattheretailandconsumerlevelsandreducefoodlossesalongproductionandsupplychains,includingpost-harvestlosses

12.4 By2020,achievetheenvironmentallysoundmanagementofchemicalsandallwastesthroughouttheirlifecycle,inaccordancewithagreedinternationalframeworks,andsignificantlyreducetheirreleasetoair,waterandsoilinordertominimizetheiradverseimpactsonhumanhealthandtheenvironment

12.5 By2030,substantiallyreducewastegenerationthroughprevention,reduction,recyclingandreuse

12.6 Encouragecompanies,especiallylargeandtransnationalcompanies,toadoptsustainablepracticesandtointegratesustainabilityinformationintotheirreportingcycle

12.7 Promotepublicprocurementpracticesthataresustainable,inaccordancewithnationalpoliciesandpriorities

12.8 By2030,ensurethatpeopleeverywherehavetherelevantinformationandawarenessforsustainabledevelopmentandlifestylesinharmonywithnature

12.a Supportdevelopingcountriestostrengthentheirscientificandtechnologicalcapacitytomovetowardsmoresustainablepatternsofconsumptionandproduction

12.b Developandimplementtoolstomonitorsustainabledevelopmentimpactsforsustainabletourismthatcreatesjobsandpromoteslocalcultureandproducts

12.c Rationalizeinefficientfossil-fuelsubsidiesthatencouragewastefulconsumptionbyremovingmarketdistortions,inaccordancewithnationalcircumstances,includingbyrestructuringtaxationandphasingoutthoseharmfulsubsidies,wheretheyexist,toreflecttheirenvironmentalimpacts,takingfullyintoaccountthespecificneedsandconditionsofdevelopingcountriesandminimizingthepossibleadverseimpactsontheirdevelopmentinamannerthatprotectsthepoorandtheaffectedcommunities

SDG8:Promotesustained,inclusiveandsustainableeconomicgrowth,fullandproductiveemploymentanddecentworkforall

8.4 Improveprogressively,through2030,globalresourceefficiencyinconsumptionandproductionandendeavourtodecoupleeconomicgrowthfromenvironmentaldegradation,inaccordancewiththe10-yearframeworkofprogrammesonsustainableconsumptionandproduction,withdevelopedcountriestakingthelead



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• Limitationsimposedbytheeconomicsystemonsustainabilityefforts,includingbytheprivatesector

• Moresustainablebusinessmodelssuitedtocirculareconomy.

Consumptionandconsumerbehaviour

• Makingiteasierforconsumerstomakemoresustainablechoices• Possibleimpactsofashiftinconsumptionawayfromgoodsandtowardsservices• Pathwaysforeffectivenormdiffusion• Linkagesbetweenconsumptionpatternsandhealthissues,e.g.mentalhealth,diet-

relateddisease• Thosepolicyinstrumentsandlegalframeworksthataremostconduciveto(andmost

inimicalto)asustainableconsumptiontransformation• Newmarketingpracticesandthechangingmedialandscapesforculturalandsocial

normchange.

Monitoringandindicators

• ImprovinginstitutionalandtechnicalcapacitytomonitorSCP• Moreassessmentandbenchmarking• Moreconvergenceofreportingsystemstoreducereportingburdenandalignglobal

andnationalindicators.

Theme2:Naturalresourcesmanagement

• Currenttrendsandfutureprospectsforglobalresourceuseandsustainableresourcemanagement

• Interactionsbetweenclimatechangemitigationandsustainableresourcemanagement• Thesocioeconomicimplicationsoftransitioningtomoreresourceefficienteconomies

andsocieties• Linksbetweensustainableresourcemanagement,conflict,securityandmigration• Consumptionasthemaindriverofincreasedmaterialuse• Howtoactonopportunitiesandchallengesforresilienceasanobjectiveofnatural

resourcemanagementindevelopingcountries• Bridgingbetweennaturalresourcemanagementresearch,policyandpracticalneeds.

Theme3:Foodwasteandloss

• Takingintoaccountthediversityofstakeholdersandanintegratedwhole-supply-chainapproach

• Howtosupportactioninproducercountriesthroughenhancingscientificandtechnologicalcapacity

• Focusonresearchforreducingpost-harvestlossesindevelopingcountries• Opportunitiesforproductive,profitable,sustainableuseoffoodandcropwasteand

residues• Capturingthepotentialofbigdata• Keepingagriculturalresearchuptodatewiththeglobal,regionalandlocalimpactsof

climatechange,watershortagesandothershocks



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• Researchintoresistantcropvarieties,pestcontrol,betterpackingandtransport,andlow-coststoragetechnologies

• Strategiesfortacklingconsumptionwaste• Consumerbehaviour–makingreductionoffoodwasteappealing• Enablingfactorsforfoodre-distribution• Improvingdataonfoodwastage.



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1 IntroductionThisstudyformspartoftheprojectFormasAgenda2030,whichaimedtoidentifyresearchneedsrelatedtothe17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)andtoexploreoptionsformakingstructuralchangesinresearchpolicyandfundinginordertofosterfurtherprogresstowardstheSDGs.TheprojectinvolvedliteraturereviewsandexploratoryworkshopsfocusingonthreeSDGsasexamples:SDG12:ResponsibleConsumptionandProduction,SDG14:LifeBelowWaterandSDG17:PartnershipsfortheGoals.

Basedonaliteraturereviewandworkshopdiscussions,thisstudyidentifiesresearchneedsrelatedtofourtargetsunderSDG12,alongwithatargetfromSDG8thatiscloselyrelated(seetable1).Thereasonsforselectingthesetargetsaresetoutbelow.Thestudyfocusesonneedsrelatedtothreethemes,whicharebasedonthestudiedtargetsandrelevanttotheSwedishcontext:cross-cuttingissuesforSDG12,naturalresourcemanagement,andfoodwasteandloss.

Theresearchneedsidentifiedarerelatedtotwofunctions:characterisingthechallengesofmeetingthetargets,andprovidingsolutions.Thesearetwoofthethreerolesforscience,technologyandinnovationinimplementingtheSDGsdefinedbyNilsson(2016).Researchneedsrelatingtothethirdproposedrole,strengtheningpublicinstitutionsandsociety,arediscussedinmoredepthinthemainreport(Perssonetal.2018,inSwedish).

SDG12callsfor“responsibleconsumptionandproduction”.Itaimsatdecouplingeconomicgrowthfromenvironmentaldamageandnaturalresourceexploitation.Itseighttargetsincludeimplementationofthe10-YearFrameworkofProgrammesonSCP,efficientmanagementanduseofnaturalresources,cuttingvarioustypesofwaste,andresponsiblemanagementofwastesandchemicals.Italsocallsforadoptionofsustainablepracticesincompaniesandinpublicprocurement.

Consumptionandproductionareessentialtotheglobaleconomy.Anthropogenicharmtotheenvironmentandhumanhealthisalmostentirelytheresultofproductionandconsumptionactivities.Atthesametime,foodsecurity,povertyalleviation,medicine,infrastructure,welfareandservicesalldependonproductiveactivitiesandthewealththeygenerate.Thusmost,ifnotall,oftheSDGsarethusintricatelylinkedwithSDG12.

Thetotalandpercapitamaterialfootprintofhumanitycontinuedtoincreasebetween2000and2010.Thisfootprintisunequallydistributed,beingmuchhigherinOECDcountries(UN,2017),whiletheenvironmentalandresourceimpactsrelatedtoproducingthegoodsandservicesconsumedmaybedistributedallovertheworld,dependingontradelinks.Thus,addressingunsustainableconsumptionandproductionpatternsrequiresasystemsapproachsupportedbycooperationbetweensupplychainactors,awareness-raisingandeducation(Reischetal.2016,p.6).

Asustainableconsumptionpolicyagendahasemergedgraduallyattheinternationalleveltosupportnationalandregionalactivities,throughAgenda21(fromthe1992RioSummit),theUNEP-ledMarrakechprocess(2003)andthe10-YearFrameworkofProgrammeson



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SustainableConsumptionandProduction1.TheSwedishpolicyagendaaroundSCPisdescribedinBox1below.

Table1.SDG12targets,andthosecoveredinthisstudy(bold)

SDG12:Ensuresustainableconsumptionandproductionpatterns12.1 Implementthe10-yearframeworkofprogrammesonsustainableconsumption

andproduction,allcountriestakingaction,withdevelopedcountriestakingthelead,takingintoaccountthedevelopmentandcapabilitiesofdevelopingcountries

12.2 By2030,achievethesustainablemanagementandefficientuseofnaturalresources

12.3 12.3By2030,halvepercapitaglobalfoodwasteattheretailandconsumerlevelsandreducefoodlossesalongproductionandsupplychains,includingpost-harvestlosses

12.4 By2020,achievetheenvironmentallysoundmanagementofchemicalsandallwastesthroughouttheirlifecycle,inaccordancewithagreedinternationalframeworks,andsignificantlyreducetheirreleasetoair,waterandsoilinordertominimizetheiradverseimpactsonhumanhealthandtheenvironment

12.5 By2030,substantiallyreducewastegenerationthroughprevention,reduction,recyclingandreuse

12.6 Encouragecompanies,especiallylargeandtransnationalcompanies,toadoptsustainablepracticesandtointegratesustainabilityinformationintotheirreportingcycle

12.7 Promotepublicprocurementpracticesthataresustainable,inaccordancewithnationalpoliciesandpriorities

12.8 By2030,ensurethatpeopleeverywherehavetherelevantinformationandawarenessforsustainabledevelopmentandlifestylesinharmonywithnature

12.a Supportdevelopingcountriestostrengthentheirscientificandtechnologicalcapacitytomovetowardsmoresustainablepatternsofconsumptionandproduction

12.b Developandimplementtoolstomonitorsustainabledevelopmentimpactsforsustainabletourismthatcreatesjobsandpromoteslocalcultureandproducts

12.c Rationalizeinefficientfossil-fuelsubsidiesthatencouragewastefulconsumptionbyremovingmarketdistortions,inaccordancewithnationalcircumstances,includingbyrestructuringtaxationandphasingoutthoseharmfulsubsidies,wheretheyexist,toreflecttheirenvironmentalimpacts,takingfullyintoaccountthespecificneedsandconditionsofdevelopingcountriesandminimizingthepossibleadverseimpactsontheirdevelopmentinamannerthatprotectsthepoorandtheaffectedcommunities

SDG8:Promotesustained,inclusiveandsustainableeconomicgrowth,fullandproductiveemploymentanddecentworkforall

8.4 Improveprogressively,through2030,globalresourceefficiencyinconsumptionandproductionandendeavourtodecoupleeconomicgrowthfromenvironmentaldegradation,inaccordancewiththe10-yearframeworkofprogrammesonsustainableconsumptionandproduction,withdevelopedcountriestakingthelead



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ThegrowingimportanceofSCPattheinternationalpolicylevelisevident.ThefactthatSCPhasitsownSDGisalreadysignificant,asisthefactthattheUN10-YearFrameworkofProgrammesonSustainableConsumptionandProduction(10YFP)isexpresslymentionedinSDGtargets8.4and 12.1. Another example is the most recent UNCTAD Global Guidelines for ConsumerProtection, which cite sustainable consumption as an express objective and recogniseconsumers’right“topromotejust,equitableandsustainableeconomicandsocialdevelopmentandenvironmentalprotection”(UNCTAD2016,p.6).

1.1 MethodandapproachThisstudyshouldbeseenasatestoftheconceptofandmethodforidentifyingresearchneedsrelatedtoSDGgoalsandtargets.Thescopeofthestudydidnotallowforanexhaustiveorin-depthassessmentofthestateofknowledge.

Themethodusedinvolvedthreesteps.ThefirststepwastoidentifyimportantthemesamongthetargetsunderSDG12,inordertoreducethenumberoftargetsandtofindbroaderknowledgeareasorthemesthatrelatetoseveraltargets.Thecriteriaandapproachforselectingthesekeythemesaredescribedbelow.

Thesecondstepwastoconductaliteraturereview,seekingresearchneedsalreadyexplicitlyorimplicitlyidentifiedintheliterature.Togetanoverviewoftheresearchbasedandrecenttrendsforeachtopic,wefirstconsultedsynthesisreportsandgeneralassessmentssuchasInternationalResourcePanelreportsfornaturalresourcemanagement(UNEP2016;UNEP2017);FAOandWorldResourcesInstituteforfoodwaste(Lipinskietal.2013;FAO2015).Morein-depthknowledgeandanalysiswasgatheredthroughdatabasesearchesformorefocusedmaterials,particularlypeer-reviewedjournalarticles.

Thethirdstepwastoorganiseanexpertworkshopwithexpertsfromthefieldsofscience,policyandpracticeinordertoidentifyhigh-priorityresearchneedsandhowtomeetthem.Theworkshopwasheldon8May2018inStockholm.

Thediscussionsintheworkshopwereinformedby,butnotlimitedto,thepreliminaryfindingsoftheliteraturereview.Thefirstpartoftheworkshopcomprisedsmallgroupdiscussionstoidentifyknowledgegapsrelatedtothetargets.ThesecondwasabrainstormingsessiontoelicitinputonhowSwedish(andEU)researchandinnovationpolicycouldcontributetoAgenda2030.Inthisreport,weareconcernedwiththeoutputsofthefirstpartoftheworkshop.Ithaschieflybeenincorporatedintothediscussiononcross-cuttingissues.

1.1.1 Challengesandlimitations

SDG12hasaverybroadscope,makinganexhaustivereviewofthepotentiallyrelevantliteratureinherentlydifficult.Thesteppedprocessinthereview–startingwithsynthesesandgeneralassessmentsandthenmovingtomorespecificliterature–wasintendedtoreducethisdifficulty.

TheSDGtargetsaretheresultofinternationalnegotiations,andassuchmaynotreflectlocalornationalsustainabledevelopmentpriorities.Thus,areviewsuchasthismightmissresearchneedsthatfallwithinthebroadareaofagoalatthenationalorlocallevel.



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Finally,twokeylimitationsshouldbekeptinmindwhenconsideringtheresultspresentedhere.Thefirstisthatwewereonlyabletoreviewapartoftherelevantliterature.Itispossiblethatothersourceswouldhaverevealedotherormoreimportantresearchneeds,orcouldhelptofillsomeoftheneedsweidentify.Thesecondisthatareviewofthisnaturecanonlyidentify“knownunknowns”inrelationtoSDG12;theremaywellbe“unknownunknown”researchneedsthatwillonlyberevealedwithtime.

1.1.2 Criteriaforselectingtargetsandidentifyingkeythemes

Allthreeofthegoal-focusedreviewsunderthisprojectappliedthesamecriteriaforselectingthetargetsandthemestofocuson:• Targetsshouldbethosewherelackofknowledgeorresearchisacriticalbarrierto

success;thismeantthat,forexample,targetsonimplementinganinternationalpoliticalagreementwereexcluded

• Targetsthataddresssimilarissuesandshareaknowledgedomainwereclusteredtogether

• Thenumberofselectedtargetsshouldbemanageablewithinthelimitedscopeandresourcesofthestudy

• Thethemescouldinterpretorexpandonthecontentsofthetargetsthemselves,toi)adaptthemtoaSwedishcontext,andii)lookatthemoregeneralsustainabilityissuesimpliedbythegoalbutnotnecessarilyreflectedbythetargets.

ForthereviewofSDG12,wefocusonthemesemergingfromfourtargetsunderSDG12,alongwithacloselyrelatedtargetthatsitsunderSDG8(seetable1).Thefirstthemeiscross-cuttingissuesrelevanttomostSDG12targetsandresearchonSCP,butnotcurrentlyaddressedbyanyonetarget.Forexample,wenotethatnotargetunderSDG12addresseseconomic,socialandculturalaspectsdeterminingconsumptionandconsumerbehaviour.IntheSwedishcontext,thereisactiveresearchandextensivepolicydebateonsustainableconsumptionandconsumerbehaviour,andthusweaddthisthemedespiteitnotfiguringstronglyunderSDG12.

Theothertwothemesaremoreexplicitlylinkedtotheselectedtargets:naturalresourcemanagement(NRM),mostcloselylinkedtotarget12.2,andfoodwasteandloss,mostcloselylinkedtotargets12.3and8.4.

Thisapproachoffocusingonthemesemergingfromthetargets,ratherthandirectlyonthetargetsthemselves,reflectstheneedfortargetedresearchacrossarangeoftopics,aswellastheincreasingimportanceofcoveringSCPinan“integratedandsystemicmanner”(Bloketal.2015,p.4).Thereviewidentifiesresearchneedswithinbothdevelopinganddevelopedcountrycontexts.



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2 ThestateofresearchonSDG12Sustainableconsumptionandproductionisarelativelynewresearchfield,that“isnotyetverywellstructured,and...itsboundariesarestillfluid”(Vergragtetal.2014,p.8).InitsFifthAssessmentReport(2014)theIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC)statedthatgreenhousegasemissionscanbesubstantiallyreducedthroughchangesinconsumptionpatterns.Atthesametime,thereportalsostatedthattheevidencebaseandlevelofagreementwithinthescientificcommunityonthisstatementwaslowerthanfortherestofthereport.Thismadeaclearcalltotheresearchcommunitytostrengthentheevidencebase.Today,SCPhasgrownintoamultidisciplinaryfield.Itattractsnaturalscientists,environmentaleconomistsandpsychologists,aswellassociologists,philosophers,innovationresearchers,politicalscientists,historiansandotherresearchersinthehumanities,whoallcontributediverseperspectives.

InrecentyearsSCPhascometoincludethenotionofsustainablelifestyles,addingthetopicofindividualbehaviortostudyofthecomponentsofourproductionandconsumptionsystems.

BOX1.SWEDEN’SSCPPOLICYIn2016,theSwedishgovernmentpresentedastrategyforSCPfocusedonwhatthestatecandoincollaborationwithmunicipalities,businessandcivilsocietyandtohelpconsumersconsumemoresustainably(MinistryofFinanceSweden2016).Thestrategyfocusesonthefollowingareas:enhancedknowledgeanddeepenedcollaboration;promotionofsustainableconsumptionpatterns;streamliningresourceuse;improvinginformationoncompanies’sustainabilityefforts;phasingoutharmfulchemicals;consumersprotection;andfood,transportandhousing.

Measuresdescribedinthestrategyinclude:establishingaforumbringingtogetheractorswhocancontributetomoreeco-smartconsumptionandlifestyles(nowestablished–https://www.forummiljosmart.se/);supportingeducationonconsumptionimpactsinschools;promotingand“nudging”eco-smartbehaviour;mappingoutandpromotingthesharingeconomy;improvingeco-labelling;keepinggoodsinuselonger,e.g.throughtaxbreaksforandinformationaboutrepairservices,andintroducingsustainabilityrequirementsformorecategoriesofgood;promotingcirculareconomy,includingbyanalysingeffectivepolicyinstruments;revisingthenationalwastemanagementplan;requiringbetterreportingbybusinessesonsustainability,penalizingfalse“green”claimsinmarketing;anactionplanontoxin-freeeverydayenvironment;stepstocombatover-indebtedness;afoodstrategy;effortsonenergyuseinhousing;investmentsinpublictransportandcycling;andaproposedtaxonairtravel(MinistryofFinanceSweden2016).ThefocusandmeasuresproposedinthestrategyareinlinewiththetargetsunderSDG12.

TheconsumerhasnottraditionallybeenconsideredamajoractorinstrategiestoachievetheEQOs.In2012theSwedishEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(SEPA;Naturvårdsverket)identifiedchangestopatternsofconsumption–inordertoreduceimpactsfromproducing,transportingandstoryinggoodsandservicesconsumedinSweden–asimportantareatoachievetheGenerationalGoalandtheEQOs,butin2015theexperienceandcapacityto



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analysetheroleofconsumptioninthefollow-upoftheobjectivesremainedlimited(SEPA2015).

TheSEPAfurtherstatedthatitagreedwithresearchconcludingthatpoliticalactionisneededtohelpconsumersandmarketforcesmovetowardsmoresustainableconsumptionpatterns.Inlinewiththis,anotherreportcommissionedbytheSEPAconcludedthatthefieldofsustainableconsumptionischaracterisedbyaplethoraofideasandstrategiesbutfewpolicyinstrumentshavebeenintroducedthathavehadatangibleeffectonconsumptionpatterns(Perssonetal.2015).

TheSEPAreportpresentedareviewofpolicyinstrumentsforsustainableconsumptionimplementedinSweden.ACO2-differentiatedvehicletax,a“greencar”rebate,andcongestionchargesinGothenburgandStockholmwerefoundtohavesignificanteffectsonconsumptionbehavior.Moregenerally,thereportconcludesthatpolicytools(economicorregulatory)thatonlyfocusonreducingconsumptionshouldbecoupledwithpolicytoolsforresearchanddevelopmenttostimulatetechnologicaldevelopmentofmoresustainablealternativegoodsandservices(SEPA2015)

TheSEPAhasstressedtheneedforalternativewaysofmeasuringwelfareandexploringtheroleofthetax,educationandtradesystemsinmakingashifttosustainableconsumption(SEPA2015).Itfurtheridentifiedanumberofresearchneedsformoreenergy-efficientconsumptionpatternsincludingresearchonthelinksbetweenenergyusage,behaviourandfeedbackmechanismsthatchangebehaviour;researchonautomaticadjustmentofenergyconsumption;andresearchontheconsequencesofhavinganincreasednumberofactiveenergyconsumersandco-producers.

Theresearchconductedhasmanytimesbeenneeds-drivenandsearchedformethodsandtoolsthatenablestakeholderstounderstandhowconsumptioncanbemademoresustainable(Algehed2015).ItisoftenarguedthatsystemsthinkingandcollaborationamongstakeholdersalongsupplychainsisnecessarytofurtherourunderstandingofSCP.

Duringtheworkshop,participantscollectivelyidentifiedasetofstakeholders/sectorsthatshouldideallybeincludedintransdisciplinarydiscussionsonSCPresearchagendas.Whilenotanexhaustivelist,theseinclude:industryandbusinessplayers(e.g.strategydepartments,marketingandsocialmedia);entrepreneurs;production-sideplayers;artsandhumanities(e.g.design,sociology,history);scientists,mathematiciansandeconomists;publichealthactors;internationaltrade;policy-makers;andyouth.

InSwedenresearchonSCPhasfocusedontheimpactofconsumptionandproductionprocessesonhumansandnature;onidentifyingasustainablelevelofconsumptionandproduction;onconsumptionbehavioursofindividualconsumers;onthedesignandproductionofmoresustainablegoods;onmarketingandpromotionofsustainableconsumptionandlifestyles;andonhowpolicytoolscanpromotesustainableconsumptionandproduction(Algehed2015).

IthasbeenarguedthatSDG12anditstargetsare“tooambitioustobefulfilled”andthatthelackofquantitativetargetsmakesitdifficultforstatestomeasuretheirachievements(ICSU



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andISSC2015,p.59).TheneedformonitoringmethodsandindicatorsfortheSDG12targetsisdiscussedunderTheme1below.

TheSustainableDevelopmentGoalsReport2017(UNDESA2017)notesthattotalandpercapitamaterialfootprintscontinuetogrow,althoughmanyregionshavebeensuccessfulinreducingtheir“domesticmaterialconsumption”(theamountofmaterialusedperunitofproduction).

Ithasbeenobservedthatcurrentpoliticaleffortstendtofocusonincreasingtheefficiencyofexistingtechnologiesandprocesses,andreducingthenegativeeffectsofindividualproducts.However,somearguethatthisapproachdoesnotconsiderthefundamentalissueofdecreasingaggregateconsumptionofscarceorpollutingresources(Reischetal.2016,p.7),partlybecausegovernmentsarenotusuallywillingtointroduceheavyconsumerregulation(Bloketal.2015,p.3;Vergragtetal.2014,p.11).Thereisthusneedtoshiftpoliticaleffortsfromincreasingefficiencytodecreasingaggregateconsumption.

AnotherchallengeistakinggoodSCPexamplestoscale.IthasbeenarguedthatwhileitisimportanttoadvanceSCPknowledgeandpractice,itisalsokeytolookintotheissueofupscalingandspreadingsuccessfulexamplesglobally(Bloketal.2015,p.8).Keyquestionsforresearchhereincludehowtobestdisseminatebestpracticesamongindividuals,organisationsandcountries;aswellasfindingoutthekeyfacilitatingfactorsforsuccessfulupscalingandexpansion(Bloketal.2015,p.10).

Finally,ithasbeenarguedthatinternationalpolicy-makersneed“stronger,moreunambiguousandmorecoordinatedevidencefromsocialscienceresearch”tohelptheminpolicy-making,andmorefundingisrequiredforsuchresearch.However,inordertoincreasetheamountofsuchfunding,behaviouralscientistsshouldalsoworktomaketheirresearchmorerelevantandaccessibletothesepolicy-makers(Reischetal.2016,p.7).

3 Theme1:Cross-cuttingissuesThefirstthemeencompassedanumberofcommonissuesthatshouldbegivenattentioninSCPresearch:whole-systemperspectives,consumptionpatternsandconsumerbehaviour,andhowtomeasureandmonitorprogresstowardssustainableconsumption.Belowwepresentinsightsfromtheliteraturereviewandtheexpertworkshopontheseissues.

3.1 SystemperspectivesAgenda2030emphasisestheneedforcoherentpoliciesandunderstandingofhowdifferentgoals,anddifferentprocesses,interact.Theoftenlongandcomplexsupplychainsthatcharacterisecontemporaryglobaltrademeanthatthesystemsthatlinkconsumptionandproductioncanspanthousandsofmiles,andthoselinkscanbeveryhardtodiscern.Hencethesustainableconsumptionandsustainableproductionagendasareoftenisolatedfromeachother.



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Theseproduction-to-consumptionsystemsareinfluencedbyawiderangeofactorsandprocesses,whomaynevercommunicateorbeawareoftheirinterdependencies.Asaresult,thereisamovetowardsmoreinterdisciplinaryandtransdisciplinary(i.e.involvingbothacademicandnon-academicstakeholders)researchinthefieldofSCP.

WorkshopparticipantsnotedacriticalgapinsynthesisingandcommunicatingSCPresearch,particularlywhenitcomestowhole-systemapproaches.Theyalsocalledformoresharingofpractices,bothNorth–SouthandSouth–North.WhiletheNorthmayhavemoreknowledgeintheareasofefficiencyandsafety,peopleincountrieswithlowerincomeshaveoftendevelopedhavemoresustainablewaystoconsumethattheNorthcouldlearnfrom.

3.1.1 Economicsystems

Researchtopicssuggestedintheworkshopincludedhoweconomicandfinancesystemsinfluenceandconstraincompanies’behaviour,andhowtheyneedtochangeinordertofostermoresustainablebusinesspractices.Participantssuggestedstudyof:thebarrierstomoresustainableinvestmentbycompaniesandpensionfunds;howtoimplementashiftintaxationfromlabourtoresources;andhowtointegrateeconomyandenvironmentinthenormsregulatingfinanceandeconomy.

Itwasalsosuggestedthatresearchlookathowcurrenteconomicsystemshindersustainableconsumption,productionandlifestyles.Particularresearchtopicssuggestedincluded:thelimitationsofvoluntaryprivatesector-ledinitiatives;possiblereboundeffectsofchangesaimedatmakingtheeconomicsystemmoresustainable;andnewmetricsofvaluethattakeintoaccountvalueforsociety,notjusteconomicvalue.

3.1.2 Businessmodels

Participantsalsocalledforcloserlinksbetweenthescientificandbusinesscommunities.Someoftheirsuggestedresearchquestionsincluded:howfirmscansetscience-basedgoals;howtheycanfindmodelstoreducetheirenvironmentalimpacts;waysforcompaniestoreducewasteandalsoearnincomefromexcessgoodsandprocessresidues;howtoboosttransparencyandtraceabilityinsupplychains;howtodemonstratethatsustainabilitycanbeprofitable.

3.2 Consumptionpatternsandconsumerbehaviour3.2.1 Consumerbehaviourandsustainablelifestyles

Theworkshopparticipantssuggestedthatastrongfocusisneededonresearchtobetterunderstandconsumptionandconsumers.Onthelevelofindividualconsumers,theyarguedthatforaccuratelytargetedandeffectivepolicies,itisimportanttohaveagoodideaofthedifferentconsumergroups;forexample,gender,age,lifestyle.

Anotherpotentialresearchquestionwasaboutwhathindersandwhatfacilitatesorencouragesmoresustainableconsumptionchoices.Howcanconsumersbeencouragedtomovetowardscollaborativeconsumption(sharing,borrowing,exchangingproducts),particularlyofresource-intensiveproductssuchascarsandtools–andwhatcanbedonetoshiftperceptionsthatsharingandrentingareoverlycomplicatedcomparedtopurchasing



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goodsdirectly?Whenshouldsustainableconsumptionpolicyfocusonchangingconsumerbehaviourratherthanonmakingsuremoresustainableproductsareavailableandmainstreamed?

Theparticipantsagreedontheneedformoreproducer-focusedresearch.ThisincludedinitiativessuchasTrase,wheretransparencyontheenvironmentalandsocialimpactsofproduction,andhowtheyarelinkedtoconsumption,increasespressureonproducersandbusinessestoadoptmoresustainablepractices.Theyalsocalledformoreresearchontheroleoftransparencyandinformationindrivingsustainableproductionandconsumption.Theyalsonotedtheimportantroleschoolscanplayineducationforsustainabledevelopment,andcalledformoreresearchoncontinuouslearningonsustainablelifestylesandconsumption.TheparticipantscalledformoreresearchintotheeffectivenessofcurrentSCPpolicyconsumermeasures.Forexample,theycalledformappingofinterventions,andassessmentofhowfartheygenuinelysupportSCPinreallife.Doestheshiftfromconsumptionofgoodstoconsumptionofservices(e.g.collaborativeconsumption)liveuptoitspromiseofreducingconsumptionimpacts–coulditevenbehavinganegativeimpact?

Theyalsowantedtoseemoreresearchintohowtoincreasetheroleofcitizensinmeasuringandsharinginformationontheirconsumption,andhowtoencouragemoreinnovativeideasonsustainablelifestylesandconsumption.TheywonderedhowitispossibletolinktheSCPagendawithhealthagendas,suchasdiet-relateddiseasesandmentalhealth.

Finally,theparticipantssoughtmoreclarityonthelimitationsofsustainableconsumptionmeasures:whatgoods,servicesandconsumptionpatternscannotbebroughtintocirculareconomyorotherwisemademoresustainable?Whatlifestylechoicesarecompatiblewithcirculareconomy?Whattypesofconsumptioncannotbedematerialised?

3.2.2 Governance,lawandpolicyinstruments

Workshopsparticipantsalsosuggestedthatmoreresearchisneededintotherole–bothpositiveandnegative–policyandlegalframeworksandsocietalstructurescanplayinshiftingtowardsSCP.

Forexample,theycalledformoreresearchintohowpolicymeasurescouldinfluenceeconomicactivityinmoresustainabledirectionsandevenbringaboutasustainabilitytransformation.Theynotedaneedtounderstandformalandinformalincentivestructuresandtheroleofdifferenteconomicactors.Theyalsocalledforresearchintoobstaclessuchasinertiaandunsustainablesocialstructuresthatpreventchange;reboundeffectsandperverseincentives,alongwithhowtounderstand,measureandreformfossilfuelsubsidies.

Participantssuggestedresearchonthedriversofincreasingdemandforgoodsandserviceswithhighenvironmentalimpacts(e.g.airtransport),andwhatpolicymeasurescanhelptobettermanageorreducethisdemand.

Consideringthepublicsectorasaconsumer,participantscalledforresearchonbarrierstomoresustainablepublicprocurement,andhowtobreakdownthesebarriersandestablishbetter,moresustainablepublicprocurementsystems.



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Onthetopicofcirculareconomy,participantsproposedthatresearchisneededintowhichpolicyinstrumentsaremosteffectiveinkeepingtoxinsoutofresourceandwasteflows.Theycalledforareviewofreviewofexistingcircularsystems,andresearchintohowtoreshaperegulatoryframeworkstosupportcirculareconomy,giventhattheytendnowtobeadaptedtoamorelinearmodel.

Theyalsosuggestedresearchintohowtouselegalandregulatoryframeworksforbusinessestoencouragemoresustainablebusinesspractices;forexample,settingsustainabilitycriteriaforstockmarketlisting.Forthemedia,itwassuggestedthatstricterrulesarerequired,forexampleonmarketingtochildren,aswellasclearermarkingofadvertisingcopytodistinguishitfromeditorialcopy.

Oninstitutionalstructures,participantsnotedthatgiventheintersectoralnatureofSCP,researchwasneededintothebestmodelsforcollaboration,withingovernment,betweendifferentgovernancelevelsandwithnon-governmentstakeholders–andwhicharebestsuitedtoparticularcontextsandconditions.TheyalsocalledforresearchintohowwellmeasurestakenbySwedishmunicipalitiestoinfluencecitizens’consumptionpatternscorrespondtothefactorsthatactuallyaffectconsumerbehaviouridentifiedinscientificresearch.Theyalsosuggestedresearchintohowtointegratesupply-anddemand-sidepoliciesmostefficiently.

Finally,theycalledforresearchintotheoptimalSDGindicatorsformeasuringprogressonSCPandincentivisingaction.Whatnewindicatorswouldbeneeded?

3.2.3 Culturalandsocialnormsandbehaviours

Onesuggestedtopicofstudywashowculturalandsocialfactorsarelinkedtoconsumption.Inparticular,researchcouldlookat:theroleofmedia,marketingandothercommunications;howtomakethesustainabilitytransitionbothfeasibleandattractivetosocietyat large;andthepotential roleof socialnetworks (includingvia socialmedia) inanalysingnormchangesandpromotingsustainableconsumption.

Otherresearchareassuggestedincludedtherisksofbacklashtomeasuresintendedtopromotemoresustainablelifestyles;howtocompetewithmessagesencouragingexcessiveconsumption;howtochangeconsumptionpatternswithoutrelyingsolelyoneconomicincentives;therelationshipsbetweenconsumptionandhealth(mentalandphysical),well-beingandhappiness(linkingSDG12toSDG3,7,13,14and15);andhowtospreadmessagingaboutsustainableconsumptionandlifestylesbeyondthemiddleclassglobally,tofilterintonorms,culturesandlifeaspirations.

Genderwasalsoraisedasatopic,inparticularaneedformoreresearchonthedifferencesinconsumptionpatternsbetweengenders.Thiscouldhelpensureequityandleadtomoresoastoinformotherassociatedtopics,e.g.marketing.



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3.3 MonitoringandindicatorsMonitoringprogressonSDG12iscriticalforlearningthatcancatalyseatransitiontoSCP(Bloketal.2015,p.2),andisthusaclearresearchneed.However,astudybyStatisticsSwedenandtheChileanMinistryofEnvironmentpointedoutthatmanycountrieshavedifficultyconstructingandproducingindicators(Steinbachetal.2016,p.3).

Inarecentassessmentofavailablestatisticsforfollowingupprogressonthe2030Agenda(SCB2017b),StatisticsSwedenfoundthatonlytwooftheglobalindicatorssuggestedbytheInteragencyandExpertGrouponSDGIndicators(IAEG-SDGs2016)forSDG12couldbeappliedatthenationallevelasformulated,andanotheronecouldbemeasuredinpartusingtheglobalindicatorsorwithanationalindicator.Additionally,thestudyfoundthatfivenon-statisticalindicators(e.g.policyassessments)couldbeusedtomeasureSDG12progressinSweden.

Thestudyproposedtwoalternativeindicatorsfornationalmonitoring,oneusingdomesticandinternationalemissionsduetoSwedish,theotherusingtheintensityofemissionsperunitofGDP(SCB2017b).

Steinbachetal.(2016)alsoarguethattoavoidanunfeasiblereportingburden,itisimportantthatcurrentinternationalreportingsystemsconverge.Forexample,theysuggestusingtheexistingSystemofEnvironmental-EconomicAccounting(SEEA)forreportingonSCP-relatedtargets(bothunderSDG12andthroughouttheSDGs).

TheSwedishEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)hasidentifiedchangestopatternsofconsumptionandtheunderlyingproductionofgoodsandservicesashighlyrelevanttoSweden’sEnvironmentalQualityObjectivesandtheoverarchinggoalofSwedishenvironmentalpolicy,theGenerationalGoal.2However,in2015itreportedthattheexperienceandcapacitytoanalyseconsumptioninthefollow-upoftheobjectivesremainedlimited(SEPA2015).OneresearchinitiativeaddressingthisneedistheEPA-fundedresearchprogrammePRINCE,whichexploredpossiblenewindicatorsfortheenvironmentalimpactsofSwedishconsumption(seehttp://prince-project.seandSteinbachetal.2018).

Intheworkshop,participantsnotedtheimportanceofresearchthatrevealsthefullimpactsofconsumptionandproduction,alongglobalsupplychains.Thisincludestakingintoaccountless-measuredimpactssuchasemissionsfromtheairlineindustry.Theyhighlightedbothsupplychaintransparency(citingtheTraseinitiative–http://trase.earth–amongothers)andlifecycleanalysis(LCA;citingtheGlobalLCADataAccessNetworkhttps://www.globallcadataaccess.org/).Traceabilitywasalsomentionedasanareaforresearchandonethatcouldsupportmoresustainablebusinessmodels.

2TheGenerationalGoalistohandovertothenextgenerationasocietyinwhichthemajorenvironmentalproblemshavebeensolved,withoutincreasinghealthandenvironmentalproblemsoutsideSweden’sborders.Seehttps://www.miljomal.se/Environmental-Objectives-Portal/.



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Universalaccesstothisdatawasalsomentionedasapriority,forexampletosupportsustainablelifestylechoicesandasawaytostrengthenaccountabilityamonglargecompanieswithgloballydistributedsupplychains.

4 Keytheme2:Naturalresourcemanagement4.1 GlobalmaterialuseandefficiencyAsthe2030Agendamakesclear,sustainablenaturalresourcemanagementisaprerequisiteforsustainabledevelopment(Ludwigetal.2015,p.3).Economictrendsandnaturalresourceusearecloselyrelated,witheconomicgrowthusuallycorrelatedwithincreasingresourceuse.According to the International Resource Panel, launched by UN Environment in 2007,environmental impacts are “disproportionately accelerated” by declines in global materialefficiency(UNEP2016,pp.15,40).Toreducematerialusequicklyandinasustainedway,thePanelarguesthatwemustfindwaystoovercomeinertiainglobalsystems(UNEP2016,p.14).

TheInternationalResourcePanelcompriseseminentscientistsinthefieldofnaturalresourcemanagement,offeringscientificanalysisandpolicyadvice.Its2018–2021strategyproposesafocusonthefollowingareas(UNEP2017,p.2):

• Currenttrendsandfutureprospectsforglobalresourceuseandsustainableresourcemanagement

• Sustainableresourcemanagementwithintheglobalclimatechangeagenda• Socioeconomicimplicationsofthetransitiontomoreresourceefficienteconomiesand

societies• Sustainableresourcemanagementlinkstoconflict,securityandmigration

4.2 TheroleofconsumptioninnaturalresourcemanagementAccordingtotheInternationalResourcePanelreport,inrecentdecadeschangingconsumptionpatternshavebeen themaindriverof increasedmaterialuse,outstrippingevenpopulationgrowth(UNEP2016,p.5).Amaterialfootprintindicatorinthereport(measuringthequantityofnaturalresourcesrequiredtomeetconsumptiondemand)indicatesthatwealthycountrieshave achieved their level of development largely through unsustainable, resource-intensiveconsumptionandproductionpatterns(UNEP2016,p.5)andinmanycasesthroughlarge-scaleimportsofmaterialsfromotherregions(UNEP2016,pp.14–15).

This means that the interests of net raw materials importing countries and net exportingcountries can differ. While net importers want to improve material efficiency in theirproductionprocesses andkeep rawmaterialsprices low inorder to keepdown their costs,exportersbenefitfromhigherexportvolumesand/orprices(UNEP2016,p.15).Bothofthesecanhavenegativeimplicationsforenvironmentalandsocio-economicsustainability.

Twoofthecross-cuttingissuesdiscussedintheprevioussection–consumptionpatternsandconsumerbehaviour,andwhole-systemperspectives(andcooperation)–arerelevanthere.



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4.3 LinkingresearchwithpolicyandpracticalneedsThere is increasing recognition of the importance of framing research to reflect policy andpracticeneeds.Involvingstakeholdersfromvarioussectorsanddisciplinesinsettingresearchpriorities has had demonstrated successes (see e.g. Petrokofsky et al. 2010, p.357). TheInternational Resources Panel also names engaging the private sector as “a key transversalelement”(UNEP2017,p.2).

Amulti-countrycomparativeanalysisofnaturalresourcemanagementprogrammesundertheCGIARpartnershiplookedathowdifferentkindsof“boundarywork”(i.e.definedasengagingwith“newscience,othersourcesofknowledge,andtheworldsofactionandpolicymaking”)contributedtosuccess(Clarketal.2016).Theyfoundthatknowledgeneededtobeperceivedbydecision-makersasbothscientificallycredibleandrelevanttotheirneedsinordertobeusedtosupportdecision-making.Theywarnofthedangersof“insufficientlypermeable”boundaries–wherescientistssimplyguessatwhatisrelevant,anddecision-makersareunawareofrelevantresearch–and“overlypermeable”boundaries,wheresciencebecomespoliticisedor,conversely,politiciansavoidresponsibilityfordecisionswithsocialequityorotherimplicationsby“repackaging”themasmerelytechnicalmatters(Clarketal.2016,p.4617).

5 Keytheme3:FoodwasteandlossEachyear,approximately1.3billiontonnesoffood,orone-thirdofallfoodproducedforhumanconsumption,isneverconsumed(FAO2015).Thisalsomeansthatabout24%ofthecaloricvalueoffoodintendedforhumanconsumptioniswasted(Lipinskietal.2013,p.1).

AccordingtoLipinskietal.(2013,p.1),“economically[foodlossandwaste]representawastedinvestmentthatcanreducefarmers’incomesandincreaseconsumers’expenses.Environmentally,foodlossandwasteinflictahostofimpacts,includingunnecessarygreenhousegasemissionsandinefficientlyusedwaterandland,whichinturncanleadtodiminishednaturalecosystemsandtheservicestheyprovide.”

Ithasbeenarguedthatmoreagriculturalandfoodsystemresearch–includingonhowtoscaleupexistinggoodpractices–isessentialtoachievefood,waterandenergysecurityforthefuture.Thisresearchmustlooknotjustatincreasingfoodproduction,butalsoathowtosteersystemstowardsbettersocialandenvironmentaloutcomes.Reducingunnecessaryfoodwasteinthefoodsystemisonewaytoimprovetheseoutcomes,andconsequentlytoputlesspressureontheenvironment(SwedishGovernment2017,pp.73–74).

Theworkshopparticipantshighlightedthreespecificareasforresearch:(i)knowledgeandstructuresforreducingfoodwaste,inparticularreusingleftoverfoods;(ii)thespecificcaseoftheairlineindustry:reductionoffoodwaste(andrelatedplasticwaste);and(iii)alifecycleanalysisperspectiveonthefoodindustry.



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BOX2.EMISSIONSRELATEDTOFOODCONSUMPTIONINSWEDENTerritorialgreenhousegasemissionsinSwedendecreasedbetween2008and2014butemissionsembeddedinimportsweremuchlarger(Steinbachetal.2018).TheSwedishgovernmenthashighlightedconsumptionoffood,alongwithhousingandtransport,asprioritiesforreducingconsumptionimpacts(SwedishGovernment2017,p.34).HouseholdsareresponsibleforalargeproportionoftotalfoodwastageinSweden;in2014anaverageSwedishresidentwastedonaverage98kgoffoodin2014(SCB2017a,p.14;SwedishGovernment2017,p.73).Also,reducingclimateimpactsfrommeatconsumptionhasbeenidentifiedasurgent(SwedishGovernment2017,p.73).

5.1 FoodlossWhilewealthiercountriestendtoseemorefood“leaving”thesystemasfoodwasteattheconsumptionstage,indevelopingcountriesittendstohappenintheformoffoodlossesduringproduction,handlingandstorage(Lipinskietal.2013,p.8).Thisreducesthefoodavailabletoeatorsell,reducingfarmers’controlovertheirincomesandabilitytoholdbackcropsuntilmarketpricesarefavourable(Kibaara2015).

Swedenhasidentifiedtheimportanceoftakingorsupportingactioninproductioncountriesaspartofitssustainableconsumptionstrategy,forexamplethroughhelpingtobuildscientificandtechnologicalcapacity(SwedishGovernment2017,p.73).Thiscouldincludecapacitytoharvest,processandstorefoodcropsmoreefficiently.

CGIARhasidentifiedfoodsystemlossesasoneoffive“majorresearchchallengeswithpotentialforveryhighpayback”intermsofimprovingthelivesofthepoorestinlow-andmiddle-incomecountries(Kyte2016,p.33).Itnotestheneedtoconsiderthewholevaluechain,andtoputresiduesandby-productstomoreproductiveuse–assoilconditioner,fertiliser,orfeedstockforenergygeneration,forexample.Italsostressesthepotentialofbigdataandtheneedtokeeppacewiththeimpactsofclimatechange,watershortagesandothershocks.

A2013workingpaperbytheWorldResourcesInstituterecommendeddoublingglobalinvestmentinreducingpost-harvestlossesindevelopingcountriesinordertospuractiontocutfoodlossandwaste(Lipinskietal.2013).Itsaidthatindevelopingregions,post-harvestlosses(whichhappenduringhandlingandstorage)accountforbetweenone-fifthandone-thirdofallfoodlossandwaste,andmorethan40%offruitsandvegetablesspoilbeforetheyareconsumed(Lipinskietal.2013,p.33).Reducingpost-harvestlossesattractsonly5%ofagriculturalresearchinvestment,comparedto95%onincreasingcropproductiondespiteitscost-effectiveness(Lipinskietal.2013,p.29)–asillustratedbyagovernmentprogrammeinRwanda(Kibaara2015).

Betterpost-harveststoragecouldnotonlycutfoodlossbutalsoreduceeconomiclosses,improvefoodsafety,reducemarketgluts(andassociatedpricedips),andallowagreatershareoftheharvesttomeetfoodsafetystandsforexport.GodfrayandJahn(2014,pp.13–14)callformoreresearchonapplying“moderntechnologies,breedingapproachesandimprovedlogisticsandinfrastructureinfoodsupplynetworks”toreducefoodloss.Potentialareasforresearchincludemoreresistantcropvarieties;betterpackingandtransport;reducingpests



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anddiseasesinstoredfood;andlow-cost,efficientcoolingandrefrigerationfacilitiessuitedtodevelopingcountrycontexts;andproductivereuseofnutrientsorenergyinfoodthatspoils.

Someresearchareasthatrelatetobothboostingcropyieldsandreducingpost-harvestlossare:thevariety,risksandopportunitiesindifferentsmallholderproductionsystems;farmsizedynamics;andgovernancemodelsforsharedresources(GodfrayandJahn2014,p.10).

5.2 ConsumerfoodwasteThereisaneedformoreresearchandinnovationonstrategiesfortacklingconsumerfoodwaste(Lipinskietal.2013,p.33).Thereisalsoaneedtoscaleupconsumerawarenesscampaignsandincreasethenumberofcountriesdoingthem(Lipinskietal.2013,p.25),whichimpliesapossibleneedforresearchintothebestwaystoconvinceconsumerstoreducetheirwaste.

Onepracticalexampleofastrategytoreducefoodwasteisfoodredistribution–givingawayfoodthatwouldotherwisebelostorwasted.Thiscanbedoneattheproduction,manufacturinganddistributionstagesofthefoodsupplychain,butthereareimportantquestionsregarding,forexample,thelogisticsoftransportingthefoodintime,legalconsequencesifthefoodisnolongersafetoeat,andthequestionofwhopaysfortheredistribution(Lipinskietal.2013,p.12).

Onarelatednote,whileitistypicallydevelopedcountrieswhoseefoodwasteontheconsumptionside,developingcountries,similarfoodwastepatternscanalsoemergeindevelopingcountriesasdietschangeandincomesrise(Lipinskietal.2013,p.33).Thus,thisareaofresearchshouldalsobeconsideredindevelopingcountries.

5.3 BetterdataonfoodsystemsIngeneral,estimatesoffoodwastagearepoorandbetterdataisneededtoguidepolicy(GodfrayandJahn2014,pp.13–14).InaprogressreportonTarget12.3,ithasbeennotedthatbaselinefoodlossandwastelevelsneedtobeestablished,withregularfollow-upmonitoring(Lipinskietal.2017,p.17).

Lipinskietal.alsorecommendedthedevelopmentofafoodlossandwastemeasurementprotocol,which“shouldbegloballyapplicabletoenableconsistency,comparability,andtransparencyacrossusers.Itshouldcoverbothfoodlossandwaste,andberelevantforbothcountriesandprivate-sectorentities”(Lipinskietal.2013,p.28).ThishasnowbeendoneinthefirstiterationoftheFoodLossandWasteAccountingandReportingStandard(Hansonetal.2016).Theglobaluptakeofthisstandardaswellasaccompanyinganalysesshouldbeencouragedtoimprovetheconsistencyofdata.

5.4 ResearchonanintegratedsupplychainapproachTechnicalsolutionsoftendependonotherpartsofthefoodsupplychaintofunctionwell;forexample,iffarmerscannotaccessamarkettoselltheirharvestsurplus,improvingstoragefacilitieswillnotreducefoodloss.Thishighlightstheneedforanintegratedwhole-supply-chainapproachtosubstantiallyreducefoodlossandwaste(Lipinskietal.2013,p.11).



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Individualsupplychainactorswouldnotnecessarilybewillingtoinvestinresearchon,andcollaborationwith,otherpartsofthesupplychain;thusinvestmentincollaborativeeffortswillprobablyhavetocomegovernments,foundations,developmentagenciesandmultilateralinstitutions

6 ConclusionsTheresultspresentedheredemonstratethevalueofthenovelapproachtoassessingresearchneedsinrelationtoSDGgoalsandtargetsappliedhere.Exploratoryexpertworkshopscomplementedthefindingsoftheliteraturereview,addingknowledgeofongoingresearchanddebate,aswellaspracticalneeds.Althoughthemethodologyislimitedtothe“knownunknowns”intermsofresearchneeds,itdoesproviderichinformation.

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Documents

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production...Sustainable Consumption and Production1. The Swedish policy agenda around SCP is described in Box 1 below. Table 1. SDG 12 targets,