GOAL 12: SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

The document focuses on the research needs associated with Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12), which aims to promote responsible consumption and production. It is part of the Formas Agenda 2030 initiative, which seeks to identify research priorities related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore ways to improve research methodologies and funding to facilitate progress towards these goals.

The survey identifies four key areas under SDG 12 that require further investigation, alongside a related target from SDG 8. These areas include cross-cutting issues, traditional resource management, and the challenges of food waste and disaster. The document emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of how various targets and processes interconnect, given the complexity of global supply chains that can span vast distances and involve numerous stakeholders.

It highlights the importance of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, which includes collaboration between academic and non-academic partners, to address the multifaceted nature of sustainable consumption and production. The document also discusses the influence of economic and financial systems on organizational behavior and the necessity for businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.

Participants in the study suggested several research questions aimed at overcoming barriers to sustainable practices, such as how organizations can establish science-based targets, reduce their environmental impacts, and enhance transparency in supply chains. The document calls for closer collaboration between scientific and business communities to foster innovative solutions and promote sustainability.

In conclusion, the document underscores the need for research on public procurement practices to identify obstacles to more sustainable public purchasing and to develop better, more effective public policies. Overall, it serves as a preliminary exploration of the potential for and framework for identifying research needs related to SDG 12, aiming to contribute to the broader goal of achieving sustainable urban environments and communities globally.