Last updated: 16 February, 2010
Climate change and energy efficiency are big issues for consumers. There is now global recognition that unsustainable patterns of production and consumption are having grave social and environmental impacts worldwide.
Latest news and developments... COP15 The good: US$30 billion pledge to help developing countries adapt to climate change.
The bad: the Copenhagen Accord is in no way binding for the parties that agreed to it.
The ugly: undemocratic and disappointing for NGOs, which were being ignored and even denied entry to the Bella Center at times. Read more about CI's participation. |
The international consensus is resoundingly clear:
- climate change is real,
- it is caused predominantly by human activities, and
- it will have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and human lives unless we act swiftly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
From the consumer perspective
Consumers are concerned about climate change and about its effects - many want to act in ways consistent with the necessary reduction of emissions.
I
n spite of global agreement about the problem, there is a lack of effective action and energy intensive behaviour patterns continue. Many consumers, particularly in the developing world, are already dealing with the effects of climate change.
CI and our member organisations have been working to address consumer concerns around climate change for years. In 2006, World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) focused on sustainable energy. We have also been addressing climate issues through the lens of corporate social responsibility and have been campaigning since 2007 for a global standard on energy.
With climate change growing ever more important to consumers, consumer organisations, and in the international arena, CI is now focusing on climate change and energy as a core issue.
Read more
Find out more about CI's work on climate change and energy efficiency, and keep track of how consumer concerns are being addressed in international processes leading up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2012:
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