Catalysing Science-Based Policy Action on Sustainable Consumption and Production

2021, UNEP International Resource Panel

The science is clear on the need to decouple socio-economic development from natural-resource use, and the positive impacts this would have on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, protecting biodiversity and reducing pollution.

Yet this evidence does not always reach key decisions makers in a way that is relevant and actionable.

Stakeholders, whether governments or businesses, need comprehensive and tailored information to help identify priorities, implement strategies, and monitor impacts around the sustainable management of natural resources.

To this end, this report explains the ‘Value-Chain Approach’ methodology and shares findings from its application to three critical sectors: food, construction and textiles.

The ‘Value-Chain Approach’ is a methodology for catalysing science-based policy action on sustainable consumption and production. Its purpose is to identify key points of intervention within economic systems to reduce natural-resource use and environmental impacts caused by production and consumption, and to define a common agenda for action.

This report is the product of the International Resource Panel and the One Planet network Task Group, an 18-month collaboration that formed in response to a resolution on sustainable consumption and production at the 4th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA4), composed of experts on natural-resource use from the International Resource Panel, and practitioners on sustainable consumption and production from across the One Planet network.