12. Responsible Consumption and Production

The focus of the global goal “Responsible Consumption and Production” is sustainable production and consumption patterns, more efficient use of resources and activities that reduce human impact on the environment and health.

The 2030 Agenda lays down implementing the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns. The essence of the programmes is sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. Food waste must be reduced by a half and food losses must be reduced in production and supply chains.

The agenda highlights the need for environmentally sound treatment of chemicals and all other waste, in order to prevent their release into the environment (air, water, soil) and, consequently, harm to human health. Waste generation must be prevented and reduced, more waste should be recycled and reused. A separate target is to eliminate fossil-fuel subsidies that promote wasteful consumption. The agenda encourages enterprises to act sustainably and inform of the relevant activities in their reports. State authorities are called on to organise green public procurement practices, in order to increase knowledge about sustainable development among enterprises and all consumers. For achieving all the aforementioned targets, it is necessary to develop a programme of sustainable consumption and production that is closely integrated with policies.

The Estonian sustainable development strategy emphasises reducing waste generation and the importance of waste sorting and recycling.
The global goal “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” is linked in Estonia with the following indicators of reducing waste generation, recycling and sound environmental management:

• Recycling of municipal waste
• Waste generation
• Implementation of environmental management systems
• Circular material use rate
• Eco-innovation
• Oil shale mining