Sustainable consumption and production

In 2012, the UN Member States adopted the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, which extends until the end of 2022. Decisions on the future of the programme are to be made at the UN General Assembly in autumn 2022. Sustainable consumption and production is also one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda.

The aims of sustainable consumption and production include:

  • to implement the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production in all countries, led by the developed countries and with due account for the level of development and circumstances of the developing countries,
  • to achieve sustainable and efficient use of natural resources by 2030, to halve the amount of global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food loss in the production and distribution chains by 2030, including post-harvest losses,
  • to ensure, by 2020, environmentally sustainable management of chemicals and wastes throughout their lifecycle in accordance with the agreed international frameworks and to substantially reduce their release into the air, water or soil in order to minimise adverse impacts on health and the environment;
  • to significantly reduce the production of waste through prevention, recycling and reuse by 2030 and
  • to promote sustainable public procurement practices in accordance with the national laws and priorities.

Finland implements the Sustainable Development Goals by coordinating, together with the UN Environment Programme and the RMIT University, the Sustainable Buildings and Construction Programme, which is one of the six sub-programmes of the Framework of Programmes for Sustainable Consumption and Production.

In addition, Finland promotes the goals through the measures under the Strategic Programme to Promote a Circular Economy, Finland’s Plastics Roadmap, National Waste Plan and Food Waste Roadmap, Waste Act and National Public Procurement Strategy, and by the Competence Centre for Sustainable and Innovative Public Procurement KEINO.

Programme for sustainable consumption and production

Finland published the Programme to Promote Sustainable Consumption and Production (‘Getting More and better from Less’) in 2005, as one of the first of its kind in the world. This was followed by the programme ‘More from Less - Wisely’ in 2012. The aim of the programme was to reduce the environmental harm and greenhouse gas emissions caused by both private households and the public sector. According to the programme, the state and local governments must show a good example and create the conditions for sustainable solutions. 

Sustainable consumption and production in The European Union