Governments

Governments play an important role in promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns. The SCP Branch works closely with governments encouraging and supporting the development and implementation of effective policies to promote sustainable consumption and production and accelerate the shift towards more resource efficient economies and sustainable lifestyles. Some key areas of work include developing national and regional SCP strategies and a Global Framework for Action on SCP, supporting the implementation of National Programmes and Action Plans on SCP, promoting Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) and developing capacity for the integration of SCP objectives in development plans.

Private Sector/Business & Industry

UNEP works in partnership with a range of international business organisations and industry associations to promote sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and corporate environmental and social responsibility (CESR) principles, policies, strategies and practices. Activities focus on engaging associations, business development institutions, companies, labour unions and local entrepreneurs in the incorporation of sustainability and the triple bottom line approach as part of core business. Work programmes focus on new business approaches, management tools, strategies and business models. Key local partners in supporting technology transformation, safer production and capacity building include national cleaner production centres, national business and industry associations, training and research institutes as well as industrial centres of excellence.

Civil Society/NGOs

Civil Society/Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are important stakeholders and provide active support in implementing projects and initiatives on sustainable consumption and production. They have for example been participating in the Marrakech Process through the regional consultation and international meetings (some working directly on Marrakech Task Forces).

Scientists, academics and researchers provide scientific knowledge and data on the environmental and social impacts of the extraction, manufacturing and use of resources, and of patterns of consumption and production. They are key partners in developing new approaches to promote SCP and resource efficiency, including work areas such as lifecycle thinking, sustainable innovation, indicators, and conceptual work on de-coupling. In 2005 a UNEP/Wuppertal Institute Collaborating Centre (CSCP) was launched to carry out applied research on consumption and production and resource management, supporting the global work on these issues.