Sustainable consumption and production (SCP) is about "the use of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardize the needs of further generations" (Oslo symposium, 1994).
The concept of sustainable consumption and production is recognized in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation adopted in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). It was acknowledged that sustainable consumption and production forms one of the three overarching objectives of, and essential requirements for, sustainable development, together with poverty eradication and the management of natural resources in order to foster economic and social development. It was recognized that fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development. It called for all countries to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. It also called for governments, relevant international organizations, the private sector and all major groups to play an active role in changing unsustainable consumption and production patterns.
Following on the implementation of the 2013 SACEP Governing Council Decision 10.2.2 to promote SCP within policy-making mechanisms of South Asian countries, as well as the Asia–Pacific Road map of the Rio+20 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP), SACEP is undertaking number of activities/project to promote SCP in the region.
