Sustainable Production and Consumption Research: Global Overview

This report provides an overview of research on Sustainable Production and Consumption (SPaC) systems, based on a special volume in the Journal of Cleaner Production. It discusses the launch of the Global Research Forum on Sustainable Production and Consumption (GRF-SPaC) and its objectives, including identifying critical research questions, assessing the state of knowledge, and bridging researchers and practitioners. The report outlines the scope of SPaC research, distinguishing between current and aspirational practices, and analyzes the different lenses through which unsustainability can be examined, such as financial, cultural, and institutional perspectives. It also highlights the need for a more cross-cutting approach to address systemic change and the urgency for quickly developing countries to embrace sustainable practices. The report also provides a framework for understanding the current lock-ins in unsustainable consumerist lifestyles and production patterns and how a transition to more sustainable patterns can be achieved. This research is crucial for understanding the mechanisms driving unsustainable behaviors and finding ways to promote sustainable consumption and production.