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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
SDG Goal

SDG 12 aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Unsustainable consumption and production practices lead to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and increased waste, necessitating a shift toward more sustainable behaviors.

How engineering can make it happen

Mining, civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineers play critical roles in managing the Earth’s resources efficiently through processing essential minerals, generating energy from renewable resources, using water resources sustainably, supporting agricultural production, and managing biodiversity. Engineering innovations support resource management and responsible consumption through the “circular economy” where outputs and products can become inputs into other processes and products. Innovations to recycle or reuse waste materials, including plastics, are being developed by materials and chemical engineers.

Film courtesy of the Royal Academy of Engineers

Global progress

  • Food waste, food loss, and electronic waste are reaching unprecedented levels, while rising consumption continues to drive increases in domestic material consumption and material footprint. These trends are placing growing pressure on the environment, accelerating climate change and exacerbating global resource inequalities.
  • However, momentum towards sustainable consumption and production is building at the institutional level. Governments are adopting supportive policies; companies are expanding sustainability reporting and participation in multilateral environmental agreements is increasing, reflecting strong institutional commitment.
  • More effort is needed to translate the institutional effort into real change in global consumption and production levels. Responsible consumption and production require a comprehensive transformation across systems, policies, markets, and behaviours. It demands coordinated efforts across governments, the private sector, civil society, and consumers at large.

Source: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2025/

Key Stats