Consumer information for sustainable consumption

We believe in a world where everyone has access to safe and sustainable products and services that do not damage the environment or negatively impact future generations. As consumers, we want to live in a healthy environment, and have secure access to essential services like energy, water and sanitation. To enable consumers to make decisions, which support a more sustainable lifestyle for all, they need access to education and clear, reliable information. This is the aim of the Consumer Information for Sustainable Consumption & Production (CI-SCP) Programme that Consumers International has co-led since 2014, part of the UN’s One Planet Network.  

OUR WORK IN THIS AREA

We co-lead the Consumer Information Programme for Sustainable Consumption and Production (CI-SCP), one of six programmes under the UN’s One Planet Network. The One Planet Network is the network of the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production. The CI-SCP programme supports the provision of quality information on goods and services, and works with many global actors including civil society, businesses and government.

Through the programme, we support projects on product design and durability, behavioural science, standards and labelling, digital communication tools and other initiatives to encourage and empower consumers to lead more sustainable lifestyles.

We co-lead the programme with the German and Indonesian environment ministries, in collaboration with UN Environment and supported by an expert multi-stakeholder advisory committee – see all the actors here.

get involved

We co-manage the CI-SCP One Planet hub, sharing information and knowledge around sustainable consumption to trigger more global innovation and co-operation. Why not take a look, and even sign up and share your ideas and activities? New actors working in sustainable consumption wanting to contribute to the programme are welcome!

Highlights and successes

  • We contributed to the development of the ISO 26000 international guidance standard on Social Responsibility, guidance on how businesses and organisations can operate in a socially responsible way
  • As part of the One Planet Consumer Information for Sustainable Consumption & Production, we've contributed to several reports published by UN Environment. See the section below for more details.

Naomi Scott-Mearns promoting our work on sustainable consumption at the International Trade Centre headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information

The Guidelines, published by UN Environment, provide global guidance on making effective environmental, social and economic claims, to empower and enable consumer choice. 

The guidance and examples are suitable for companies (of all sizes and regions) to make effective, trustworthy claims to consumers, on product-related sustainability information.

They are available to download in English, Spanish, and German. 

Download guidelines

 

Reports

Ready to Drive the Market: Experiences from Road Testing the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information

This report complements the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information by offering insights into the practical application of the Guidelines’ ten principles.

Download report

The Long View - Exploring Product Lifetime Extension 

'The Long View', published by UN Environment, examines the durability of seven consumer products, from smartphones to fridges, and evidence for planned or premature obsolescence in wider consumer goods.

Download report

Consuming Differently, Consuming Sustainably: Behavioural Insights for Policymaking

This report, published by UN Environment, looks at how strategies for encouraging behaviour change can improve policies for sustainable consumption.

Download report

Shout it Out: Communicating Products' Social Impacts - a White Paper of the Consumer Information Programme

This White Paper’s identifies good practices of product-level social impact communication that can provide inspiration, and be built upon or replicated.

Download report

news

Key Messages And Case Studies To Provide Credible Sustainability Information On Plastic Packaging

Consumers International, the UN Environment Programme and the One Planet Network have released three key messages and five case studies to improve consumer communications on plastic packaging.

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blog

Now is the time to act #ForNature - consumer advocacy can lead the way

In our blog to mark World Environment Day 2020, our Sustainable Consumption Manager, Naomi Scott-Mearns, explores the potential for consumers, and consumer advocacy, to be a powerful actor in taking action to preserve biodiversity across the globe.

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Our Latest Publication

Maximising consumer voices in digital financial services policy-making: Consumer organisations' engagement strategies

View all publications