Introduction: In 2004/5 a project SC.Asia was coordinated by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and financially supported by the European Union’s Asia Pro Eco Programme. The project was carried out in partnership with the Centre for Environment and Development (CED), Consumers International (CI), and the Danish Consumer Council (DCC). SC.Asia was responding to a call from Asian Governments and regional experts, as voiced in the Marrakech Process, to support Governments to identify and build capacity to promote best practices on sustainable consumption. The author of this paper conducted the Asian Review on Sustainable Consumption in 12 Asian countries and a model for SC in Asia evolved from the various discussions and interviews held with experts from over 100 organizations representing government, NGOs, universities and industry. As the project was based on Section G: Sustainable Consumption of the Consumer Protection Guidelines, the initial model had serious limitations and revolved around few guidelines specified in concrete SC action. However, since then the model has been regularly updated by the author expanding its scope and applicability for Asia and now to rest of the world as well.
Can the above Model present some answers to the questions of achieving SC in Asia?
1. What knowledge is most needed for societies to pursue sustainability through the integrated management of production-consumption systems?
a. Co-relations and over-lapping between consumption and production systems. (Eg: Environmentally sound products and services as a required condition for SC)
b. Requirements of other needs, conditions, and supporting means for sustainable consumption to be a reality. (Eg; Poverty Alleviation as a required condition for SC)
c. Influences that determine behavior and lifestyles constituting sustainable and unsustainable consumption patterns and processes. (Eg: An Informed Society as a required condition for SC)
d. Consumer and producer aspirations as well as governance determinants that condition the future supply, demand and market based penetrations. (eg: Fair Trade as a required condition for SC)
2. Where appropriate knowledge already exists, but is not being effectively used, what could be done to narrow the knowledge-to-action gap?
a. Appropriate technology needs to be encouraged and promoted as a means for SC Action
b. Food Security & Safety needs to be enforced as mandatory conditions for SC
c. Certification and product information needs to be regulated by legislative and enforcement means for SC
And, where the needed knowledge appears to be absent, how can research be re-oriented to address the sustainability problems in the production-consumption system?
a. Awareness, education and marketing strategies and programmes needs to be well researched along with consumer behavior research
b. Efficient and appropriate technologies need to be researched along with environmentally sound products and services.
c. Waste Management (4R) needs more efficiency generated through research.
Note: The above model provides debate on linking the various processes, mechanisms, tools, and systems that enables a holistic approach towards policy development to enable SC. Therefore, the final goal in SC in Asia is to help create “Quality Livelihood for All” as in healthy, happy, content and meaningful lifestyles adopted by all societies with realization and active participation within the earth’s carrying capacity.
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