Abstract
This chapter reports on the UK's progress towards achieving SDG12: Responsible consumption and production. Sustainable consumption and production has risen up the agenda for the UK public, as a result of the ‘Attenborough effect’ and organisations such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlighting the scale of plastic pollution. Large
businesses are focusing on their environmental and social impacts with SDG 12 being a priority Goal for both FTSE100 and FTSE250 companies.
However, public awareness of the SDGs in the UK remains low in comparison to other developed nations and despite positive moves against some of the SDG 12 Targets, there remains an unwillingness to commit to simply producing and consuming less. Furthermore, inconsistencies in reporting, tax and investment loopholes, and a plateauing of recycling rates threaten the UK’s ability to achieve SDG 12 by 2030.
As a member of the G7, the world’s fifth largest economy, a top five tourist destination, and one of the world’s most popular study destinations, the UK has potential to influence policy and leadership on SDG 12 not just domestically, but
also internationally. The UK hosted COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, giving it a global platform upon which to set out its agendas, including the establishment of Task Force Net Zero and commitments to support a green recovery.
businesses are focusing on their environmental and social impacts with SDG 12 being a priority Goal for both FTSE100 and FTSE250 companies.
However, public awareness of the SDGs in the UK remains low in comparison to other developed nations and despite positive moves against some of the SDG 12 Targets, there remains an unwillingness to commit to simply producing and consuming less. Furthermore, inconsistencies in reporting, tax and investment loopholes, and a plateauing of recycling rates threaten the UK’s ability to achieve SDG 12 by 2030.
As a member of the G7, the world’s fifth largest economy, a top five tourist destination, and one of the world’s most popular study destinations, the UK has potential to influence policy and leadership on SDG 12 not just domestically, but
also internationally. The UK hosted COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, giving it a global platform upon which to set out its agendas, including the establishment of Task Force Net Zero and commitments to support a green recovery.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Measuring Up 2.0, 2022: How the UK is performing on the Sustainable Development Goals |
| Editors | Alexandra Ranft, Clare O'Keeffe, Emily Auckland, Erin Sharpe, Lily Venables, Pauline Girma |
| Publisher | UN Global Compact Network UK |
| Chapter | 12 |
| Pages | 80-86 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |