SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION: WORLD BUSINESS PRIORITIES

The World Business Council on Sustainable Development`s (WBCSD) aims to move the sustainable production and consumption debate from one which may present barriers and pressures for business to one of opportunities for commercial enterprises. The WBCSD has established a Working Group identify how business may be consuming and producing in ways that reflect sustainable practices and how these practicies can be further developed and expanded. An inportant feature of this work will include a discussion on the interaction between commercial consumers and producers and individual consumption and production activities. Central to these interactions are the role of governments and the marketing branch of enterprises. The work will be in three phases:

Phase 1 - Definitions and Boundaries The emphasis during the initial phase will be to clarify concepts and set bounds by examining the practice of industrial ecology and product stewardship. The results will be a firm foundation on which to launch a more detailed and meaningful analysis and subsequent recommendations.

Phase 2 - Changing Production and Consumption Patterns: From Cases to Models Cases will be presented which demonstrate current business initiatives, highlighting advances and opportunities as well as the limitations of these approaches. This portion of the work provides a valuable showcase for business to demonstrate how it currently contributes to sustainable production and consumption, as well as where there is an opportunity for improvement. WBCSD has commissioned a comprehensive, independent study by the International Institute for Environment and Development of the international paper cycle from forests through production, distribution, recycling, energy recovery and final disposal to identify the social, economic and environmental trade-offs that sustainability involves.

Phase 3 - Recommendations/Criteria What are the criteria for consumption and production practicies that meet long-term viability need of businesses committed to high standards of environmental performance? Recommendations should consider the following:

• - how business translates environmental pressure into business opportunities.
• - how design, marketing and service strategies can be used to contribute to sustainable production and consumption.
• - how business, goverments amd consumers influence success and failure of various initiatives
• - how business practicies related to sustainable consumption impact the bottom line.

World Business Council on Sustainable Development, Geneva, 1995