Sustainable Consumption and Production

This theme addresses the greening or ecological modernization of production and consumption chains and networks. Studies on the ‘greening of industry’ are conducted on a worldwide basis, addressing the environmental management efforts as developed by Transnational Corporations (TNCs) as well as Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs). Especially in China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand the role of SMEs in environmental governance within agro-industrial sectors is explored in some detail. When analyzing the significance of technology in environmental transitions, a social science perspective is used which emphasizes the key roles of local and transnational actors and institutions in the management of environmental change. The strategies of Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) are given explicit attention in several projects.

Next to globalizing production-consumption chains (for food; fuels, textiles etc.) also networks for the provision of water, energy and waste-services are included in this research theme. The public-private networks providing these goods and services are often referred to as the ‘infrastructures of consumption’ and they are demonstrated to be very powerful in shaping domestic practices of consumption to a considerable extent.

In both Africa and Asia, special projects are implemented to study the access of poor people to (key) environmental infrastructures for the provision of water, energy and sanitation facilities. In these projects, the perceptions, commitments and interests of end-users and their access to environmental goods, services and infrastructures are highlighted while the need for new, flexible, locally adapted socio-technical arrangements is emphasized.

Within the ENP research program, consumption is studied in close connection to the networks and systems of provision which support our daily consumption routines. The greening of lifestyles and consumption practices is investigated in different domains of consumption like housing, food, leisure and tourism, clothing and personal care, and mobility. In all consumption domains, the development of new policy arrangements and instruments is investigated, for example the wide range of environmental labels, certification schemes and brands are given special attention since they are important vehicles for information and regulation strategies in the context of globalizing (f.e. food-)chains.

The research under this core theme is rooted in and makes substantial contributions to the theory of Ecological Modernization of production and consumption (EMT) in particular, while also using the Triad Network Approach, the Social Practices Approach and the theory of Modernized Mixtures.