United Nations Environment Programme
In December 2021, the UN General Assembly, through the resolution “Promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building on Agenda 21” (A/RES/76/202), extended the mandate of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP) to 2030 and encouraged its implementation to support fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume goods and services.
The subsequent Global Strategy on Sustainable Consumption and Production aimed to bring us on track to 2030, including by empowering countries and stakeholders to mainstream and implement SCP. Cooperation across UN entities was recognized as essential to providing coherent support to countries in the design, implementation and mainstreaming of SCP policies, practices and approaches.
In this context, the EMG, in close collaboration with UNEP and other UN entities, organized a series of Nexus Dialogues to explore ways for UN agencies to join forces in support of SCP and SDG 12 implementation. The dialogues examined how SCP could contribute to a green economic transformation and help address the triple planetary crisis in the post-COVID context, with a focus on high-impact systems and value chains, including sustainable tourism, sustainable food systems, the sustainable built environment, sustainable procurement and sustainable lifestyles.
The Dialogues laid the groundwork for the creation of a UN Alliance for SDG 12, with the aim of accelerating implementation of SDG 12 and the 10YFP.
External resources
Digitalisation for Circular Economy and Green Jobs for Youth
17 May 2023 13:30
Digitalisation for Circular Economy and Green Jobs for Youth
International Labour Organization
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
International Telecommunication Union
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Development Programme
UN Economic Commission for Europe
United Nations Children's Fund
UN Women
United Nations Institute for Training and Research
The first in a series of UNEMG Nexus Dialogues on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) – “Digitalisation for the circular economy and green jobs for youth” was held in Geneva on 17 May 2023. Hosted by the International Labour Organisation, the event brought together experts and thought leaders from across the UN system to discuss the transformative power of digital technologies in advancing sustainable consumption and production practices and promoting decent and green employment opportunities for youth.
The dialogue served as a steppingstone to foster interagency collaboration for SDG12, promoting SCP as vehicle to address the triple planetary crisis and a sustainable economic transformation. The dialogue provided a platform for fruitful discussions with key actors from UN agencies and offered cross-cutting insights on leveraging digitalization for a green economy and green jobs. It highlighted the immense potential of digital technologies in driving the circular economy and emphasized the importance of collaborative policy making to ensure a fair and inclusive transition in countries.
Sustainable living and aspirational consumption to address the triple planetary crises and support the SDGs
11 September 2023 14:00
Sustainable living and aspirational consumption to address the triple planetary crises and support the SDGs
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
United Nations Environment Programme
UN Habitat
United Nations Children's Fund
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
The second in a series of UNEMG Nexus Dialogues on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) “Sustainable living and aspirational consumption to address the triple planetary crises and support the SGDs” was held at UNESCO on 11 September 2023. Hosted by UNESCO, the event brought together experts and thought leaders from across the UN system, governments and research institutions to discuss the importance of enabling a transition to sustainable lifestyles, consumption and production patterns.
The dialogue provided a platform for fruitful discussions with key actors from UN entities and offered cross-cutting insights on aspirational consumption. It highlighted the importance of driving sustainable consumption to tackle the triple planetary crises.
UN actions to advance Sustainable Development of SIDS through Tourism: Fostering Sustainable and Circular Solutions
On 30 May 2024, the UN Environment Management Group (EMG), in collaboration with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP) Secretariat and UN Tourism, organized a Nexus Dialogue on sustainable and circular tourism as a side event of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda.
The Dialogue, the third in the EMG Nexus Dialogue series on Sustainable Consumption and Production, brought together UN entities and partners to explore opportunities for strengthening UN system-wide coordination to advance sustainable tourism in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Recognizing tourism's vital contribution to economic development and the unique environmental vulnerabilities of SIDS, discussions focused on promoting circular solutions that support economic growth while protecting natural and cultural ecosystems.
The Dialogue explored opportunities for interagency collaboration across tourism value chains, including sustainable agrifood systems, the blue economy, climate adaptation and financing. It also highlighted the role of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme in fostering coordinated UN action and accelerating the transition towards more sustainable and resilient tourism models, contributing to the achievement of SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production.
