The European Commission has just completed a consultation on sustainable consumption and production and sustainable industrial policy. It will use the contributions received to prepare action plans on these topics.
In a background document, the EC noted that current patterns of consumption and production are leading to the rapid depletion of natural sources, such as oil reserves and fish stocks, as well as causing major environmental degradation. The gains from the improved efficiency of new products derived from new technologies are rapidly being offset by increasing consumption.
The EC's goal is a sustainable industrial policy which will transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities for society. It sees the key environmental issues as climate change and a low-carbon economy; sustainable and efficient use of natural resources, energy and materials; and the phasing out of hazardous substances and endangered materials from production processes and products.
The action plans will encompass competitiveness, energy, environmental and social aspects.
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