We have probably been hearing about the concept of Sustainable Development adopted from the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that “provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.”
The SDGs pertaining to poverty, hunger, health, education, and gender equality are often talked about openly in all forms of media and communications, but we rarely hear about Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP).
This particular goal of sustainable consumption and production was then introduced and intensively tackled by National Economic and Development Region 4A (NEDA 4A) Assistant Regional Director Gina T. Gacusan during the Calabarzon Regional Economic and Financial Literacy Forum held at Laguna State Polytechnic University Santa Cruz Campus in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on November 14, 2019.
With the theme “Our Planet’s Health, the Future’s Wealth,” the academe, provincial and local government units, and regional line agencies were gathered to promote among them the importance of having a healthy community not alone through financial and economic stability, but also through ensuring a sustainable economy cultivated by responsible consumers and producers.
The SCP is based on SDG No. 12 which is the “Responsible Consumption and Production.”
As it is defined, Sustainable Development is a development that would meet people’s needs without compromising the future generations.
“The same way, when we talk about sustainable production and consumption it is a way of us meeting our basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, housing and a better quality of life without damaging our natural resources so that the future generations can also meet their needs,” Gacusan explained.
She also tackled the SCP Framework and Action Plan stressing out its goal to encourage more Filipinos to produce and consume green goods and services toward sustainable practices and lifestyles.
Specifically, the goals of the Action Plan are to: (1) guide and facilitate the implementation of SCP across sectors; (2) lay down the priority strategies and activities per core SCP thematic areas to support and advance SCP implementation in the country; and (3) identify means of implementation to cohesively and effectively implement interventions in the areas of sustainable business and lifestyles, resource conservation and efficiency, and waste and chemicals management, among others.
The vision of the SCP Framework is an Improved living conditions of current and future generations of Filipinos towards a “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay” or a stable, convenient and peaceful life. This aspiration is based on the Ambisyon Natin 2040.
She said we should look into sustainable public procurement since the government is the biggest consumer, sustainable tourism for tourism causes traffic congestion and generates wastes, sustainable food system, and sustainable lifestyles.
SCP in Practice
More than the concepts and ideals, Gacusan laid down practices that individual consumers and households can do to contribute to sustainable consumption and production.
She cited practical ways to achieve SCP. Simple personal choices that reduces detrimental impact to the environment for ensuring sustainability.
Based on a study, even personal choices may help reduce climate change. “Ang ganda ng study nila from Singapore, sabi nila (Their study in Singapore wasremarkable, they said these personal choices would result to the annual climate change reduction in environment – a climate change savings,” she shared.
The ways she cited to achieve climate change savings is as simple as “changing light bulb into LED, or better do recycling, or much better own a hybrid vehicle that uses both gas and electricity, or so much better to use electric car, but way way better not to own a car at all and use alternatives like bike instead.”
But the ultimate way to save would be controlling population growth which means reduced number of consumers, she pointed out.
She also stressed the need for behavior change and asked, “What behaviors need to change?”
Instead of using car solo, either opt to ride a public utility vehicle (PUV) or do carpooling.
Rather than riding on a tricycle going somewhere nearby, go for a walk to lessen air pollution while doing it as exercise.
“Social norms hold us back,” she stated.
As she explains, social norms are the accepted behavior, “Sa atin kasi accepted iyong nagtitira ka ng pagkain sa plato… it is a social norm for us na hindi maganda iyong second hand whether kotse, sapatos, damit o bag. Ayaw natin ng second hand.”
(“For us having leftover food in our plates is accepted… it is a social norm that secondhand whether car, shoes, dress or bag is not good enough.”)
For instance, it takes 2,642 gallons of water to make one pair of jeans, hence, using secondhand may help in conserving water. People then should buy less of anything, try to do repair, reuse or borrow If possible, she suggested.
Other practical ways is to bring own bag when shopping. The government itself can contribute to waste reduction by controlling the use of single-use plastics in regular meetings, she added.
She also tackled the 5Rs that everyone must keep in mind such as Refuse or saying no to using single-use plastics and straws, trying to Reduce the amount of waste generation, Reuse by using sustainable and reusable alternatives, Recycle by upcycling or repurposing recyclable materials, and lastly, Rot by composting or putting biodegradable wastes in the garden.
It really takes two and maybe more to tango, and the only way towards a sustainable consumption and production is through the collective initiative and efforts of every Filipino.
Adopting the practical ways shared by ARD Gacusan combined with self-discipline and compassion for the future generations will surely make our planet a healthier place to live in towards a wealthy future. (Joy Gabrido/PIA 4A)