New partnership for empowering consumers to make more sustainable choices
UNEP and Consumers International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration on consumer empowerment and protection through environmental action. The partnership aims to promote stronger engagement with governments, the private sector, and consumer associations, reinforcing consumer rights to a clean environment and to reliable information for sustainable and safe goods and services.
This agreement will reinforce existing areas of collaboration, such as through the One Planet Network Consumer Information Programme, enhancing its tools and raising ambition to significantly scale up positive impacts, by empowering consumers, public entities and businesses to make informed choices. The Memorandum of Understanding will also extend the collaboration launched for World Consumer Rights Day 2025, on the theme of A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles, working to align environmental action with people’s essential rights and needs.
Mr Jorge Laguna-Celis, Head of the 10YFP Secretariat, reacted to the partnership: “Empowering consumers with clear, trustworthy information is crucial to increasing demand for more sustainable and circular products. Our partnership with Consumers International is an important step forward, which will allow us to reach and better support the stakeholders we serve. This is a win-win partnership.”
Ms Helena Leurent, Director-General of Consumers International, said, “We are looking forward to working more closely with UNEP to help consumer groups and governments take action that makes everyday life more manageable and secure. As climate change continues to affect us all — and as prices keep rising — people need products and services that last, are safe, and that don’t harm the environment or their wallets. This partnership pushes for clear, honest information so people can trust the choices they make and feel confident they’re doing the right thing for themselves and the world around them.”
