CHM - ORTAdvance towards keeping the EU’s resource, material and product consumption within planetary boundaries by promoting more sustainable and circular consumption choices and strive to accelerate the transition towards a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes to reduce the EU’s consumption footprint.
Main legislation in place:
The 8th Environment Action Programme sets out the objective of people living well, within the planetary boundaries in a well-being economy where nothing is wasted, growth is regenerative, climate neutrality in the Union has been achieved and inequalities have been significantly reduced by 2050 at the latest. In particular Articles 3(s) and (y), requiring a significant decrease of the EU’s material and consumption footprints through reduction targets and minimising the environmental footprint of digital and data technologies, are of relevance.
The Directive Empowering Consumers in the Green Transition (amending Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and Consumer Rights Directive) aims, amongst others, to enable better informed transactional decisions by consumers to promote sustainable consumption, and eliminate practices that cause damage to the sustainable economy and mislead consumers away from sustainable consumption choices.
The Batteries Regulation (revision) establishes inter alia sustainability requirements to present consumers with more sustainable choices of batteries.
The Directive on Single-Use Plastics introduces measures and rules to reduce the amount of plastics being released into the environment and notably Article 4 on consumption reduction is of relevance.
The Deforestation Regulation aims to fight against deforestation and forest degradation by reducing the consumption in the EU.
The EU Ecolabel Regulation lays down rules for the establishment and application of the voluntary EU Ecolabel scheme. The label for environmental excellence is awarded to goods and services with excellent environmental performances throughout their life-lifecycle. Therefore, the label helps consumers, but also retailers and businesses to make sustainable choices.
The Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products establishes a framework to improve the environmental sustainability of product and to ensure free movement in the internal market, improving the sustainability of both consumption and production.
The Directive on common rules promoting the repair of goods, notably Article 6, requires Member States to ensure that producers inform consumers of their obligation to repair. In addition, according to Article 7, a European online platform will be established in the EU that allows consumers to find repairers.
The Regulation on the packaging and packaging waste aims to improve the environmental sustainability of packaging.
Legislation proposed:
The Commission proposal for a Green Claims Directive aims at ensuring all environmental claims and labels communicated from business to consumers are substantiated, verified and well-communicated. Notably Articles 5 and 6 on the communication of environmental claims aim to ensure the substantiation information accompanies all claims and is accessible to consumers are of relevance.
Other policy instruments:
The Circular Economy Action Plan sets out a framework for the EU’s transition to a circular economy. It follows a whole lifecycle approach, which means all product life-stages are addressed, in order to lead to more sustainable consumption and production methods. It further commits to regulate the reduction of carbon and environmental footprints.
The Policy Framework on Bio-based, Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics clarifies these three types of plastics and sets out the conditions to ensure that the overall environmental impact of their production and consumption is positive.
The EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Framework (for energy-related products).
The New Consumer Agenda addresses amongst others consumption patterns in the green transition, and notably:
- Action 4: Present a legislative proposal to empower consumers for the green transition (see above)
- Action 5: Work with economic operators to encourage voluntary pledges to actions in support of sustainable consumption beyond what is required by law
- Action 6: Assess how to further promote repair and encourage more sustainable circular products
The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles introduces a framework for the EU textile industry transition to circularity, addressing also consumption patterns.
The Circular Economy Monitoring Framework reports on production and consumption, waste management, secondary raw materials, competitiveness and innovation and global sustainability and resilience.
The EU Green Public Procurement criteria aim to reduce the environmental impacts of public purchases.
Communication on the monitoring framework for the 8th Environment Action Programme.
Recommendation 2021/2279 on the use of Environmental Footprint methods for relevant policies and initiatives, to measure, manage and communicate environmental performance, burdens and other information relating to the life cycle of products (goods and services) and organisations.
The EU consumer footprint calculator informs on impacts on consumer consumption in five consumption areas, and provides tips for limiting the impacts.
The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, in particular the following actions in the EU Biodiversity Strategy Actions Tracker:
- Action 76: Develop methods, criteria and standards to better integrate biodiversity considerations into public and business decision-making and to measure environmental footprint.
- Action 82: Council Recommendation on learning for environmental sustainability and Competence Framework
The Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production aims, amongst others, to stimulate demand and ensure consumer trust in organic products.
The Transition Pathway for the Textiles ecosystem identifies 50 specific actions to make the textiles ecosystem greener, more digital and to ensure its long-term resilience and competitiveness.
| Objectifs mondiaux | Degré d’alignement |
GBF-T16. GBF-T16.Encourager les populations à faire des choix de consommation durables et à leur donner les moyens de le faire, notamment en créant des cadres politiques, législatifs ou réglementaires propices, en améliorant l'éducation ainsi que l'accès à des informations pertinentes et précises et à des solutions de substitution, et, d'ici à 2030, réduire l'empreinte mondiale de la consommation de manière équitable, notamment en réduisant de moitié le gaspillage alimentaire mondial, en limitant significativement la surconsommation et en diminuant considérablement la production de déchets, de manière à permettre à tous de vivre agréablement en harmonie avec la Terre nourricière. | Élevé |
This EU contribution aligns with GBF Target 16, the elements on promoting sustainable consumption choices and reducing the global footprint of consumption.
For improving access to relevant and accurate information and alternatives, see also the EU contribution on providing information to consumers.
For financing and capacity-building, please refer to the EU contributions to Targets 19 and 20.