Consumption

The circular economy is a positive step forward to help achieve our environmental targets. When implemented with nature in mind, it can present an important opportunity for nature and biodiversity. As outlined by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 we will need to transform our production and consumption systems. This is precisely what the circular economy aims to address.

There is growing international interest in the concept of circular economy as a framework for pursuing sustainable economic growth and human prosperity. A key aspect of circular economy is the concept of value-retention within economic production-consumption systems. Processes such as remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair and arranging direct reuse enable the retention of value, and in some cases the creation of new value for both the producer and customer, at a reduced environmental impact.

In this report, we provide insights on the use of responsible and deforestation-free soy in the EU-28 member states, Norway and Switzerland (EU+). As the second largest importer of soy, Europe has a responsibility to solve the sustainability issues connected to its soy consumption.

There is growing international interest in the concept of circular economy as a framework for pursuing sustainable economic growth and human prosperity. A key aspect of circular economy is the concept of value-retention within economic production-consumption systems. Processes such as remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair and arranging direct reuse enable the retention of value, and in some cases the creation of new value for both the producer and customer, at a reduced environmental impact.

In The Irresponsible Pursuit of Paradise, Dr. Jim L. Bowyer clearly documents an ethically bankrupt position that underlies much of our environmental policy. High consumption in wealthy countries usually goes hand-in-hand with resistance to domestic raw materials extraction and half-hearted interest in recycling. Because of this, the world's wealthiest countries increasingly rely on imported raw materials from poorer nations to fuel consumption.

This guide was developed to help address issues regarding resource consumption and environmental conservation, efficiency and competitiveness in enterprise management, and sustainable consumption and production. The case studies highlighted offer an ideal starting point in understanding the full environmental implications of products. This guide shows how a life cycle approach can be used to identify and reduce the environmental and health impacts of the products we use.