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The starting point is to understand the forces which drive existing patterns of consumption and production, including consumer demand, competition, innovation (in technology, products and services), and financial flows. These patterns are driven by the purchasing choices of individual, business and public sector consumers, which in turn are determined by a myriad of factors. This is the context in which OECD`s analyses will be undertaken. Four main areas will command attention:
1. Clarification of the conceptual framework and the boundaries which can most usefully be placed around the issue for policy makers;
2. Problem identification and analysis, including selecting and analyzing trends in end-use consumption, including the economic, social and environmental impacts. A range of indicators will be used including economic indicators (employment, growth, inflation), social indicators (health, equity, safety) and environmental indicators (waste, emissions, resource use).
3. Assessing policy options and the stakeholders involved, developing effective policy instruments, and exploring the likely implications of their implementation for OECD and non- OECD countries. Policy options will include:
4. Monitoring and evaluation, and assessing the effectiveness of policies implemented to promote more sustainable consumption and production patterns, including through the use of country environmental performance reviews.
OECD Environment Directorate, Paris, 1995.