Goal 12 focuses on promoting sustainable consumption and production to protect resources for present and future generations. With the global population expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, current resource consumption rates would require almost three planets to sustain.

To address this, a shift toward sustainable energy and reduced consumption is critical. However, global crises have led to a resurgence in fossil fuel subsidies, which nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021. Despite these setbacks, sustainability reporting in industries is on the rise, nearly tripling in recent years, reflecting a growing commitment to integrating sustainability into business practices.

Reducing food waste is also essential; each year, 931 million tons of food are wasted, despite widespread hunger. Addressing this issue requires data-driven policies, investments in technology, and enhanced infrastructure and education. Promoting sustainable consumption patterns will be key to ensuring that resources remain available for future generations.

Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/