Goal 12 of 17
Responsible consumption and production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
What this goal is about
Goal 12 is about how the world makes and uses things: food, clothes, electronics, packaging, fuel and the raw materials behind them. It asks countries, companies and people to waste less, use natural resources more carefully, handle chemicals and rubbish safely and share honest information about products.
The pressure is rising. Global domestic material consumption grew from 92.1 billion tonnes in 2015 to 115.1 billion tonnes in 2022, and about 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022. Waste costs money as well as resources, and food loss and waste alone produce 8 to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to UNEP.
There is progress on policy, public procurement and company reporting, but food waste, material use and e-waste are rising when the targets call for cuts, so most of the goal is off track.
The main targets
Manage and use natural resources sustainably and efficiently by 2030.
Halve per-person food waste in shops and homes, and cut food losses in production and supply chains, by 2030.
Handle chemicals and all wastes safely through their life cycle and sharply cut releases to air, water and soil.
Substantially reduce waste through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse by 2030.
Encourage companies, especially large and multinational ones, to adopt sustainable practices and report on sustainability.
Promote sustainable public procurement in line with national policies and priorities.
Make sure people everywhere have the information and awareness to live sustainably and in harmony with nature.
Phase out inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage waste, while protecting poor and affected communities.
Summaries in plain English. The full wording of every target and indicator is on the UN Goal 12 page.
What businesses can do
- Measure your waste. Log what you throw away by type for a week, then target the two or three biggest sources. Food businesses can adjust ordering and portions within weeks.
- Rethink packaging with suppliers. Ask for returnable crates, bulk deliveries and fewer mixed materials, and check packaging rules such as India's plastic EPR or Dubai's single-use bans.
- Design for repair and return. Offer spare parts, repair guides, refills or take-back schemes so products stay in use and customers come back.
- Handle e-waste and chemicals properly. Keep devices longer, buy refurbished where it fits, wipe data and use authorised recyclers. Store and dispose of chemicals through approved routes.
- Report what you can prove. Publish a short annual note with real figures on waste, recycling and packaging, and avoid vague green claims or implying UN endorsement.
What you can do
- Waste less food. Plan meals, check the fridge before shopping and use leftovers. Households account for 60% of food wasted globally.
- Keep things longer. Repair clothes and devices, buy second-hand and swap with friends before buying new.
- Recycle electronics safely. Take old phones, chargers and batteries to authorised points. Students should ask an adult to help back up and wipe devices first.
- Question green claims. Check what a product is made of and whether it can be repaired, and be wary of vague eco labels with no evidence.
Most waste is hard to cut because nobody sees it in time. Software helps by making it visible: kitchen systems that weigh and photograph discarded food, apps that sell end-of-day surplus, open databases such as Open Food Facts that explain what is in products, and the EU's Digital Product Passport for materials and repair information. Compliance portals, such as India's plastic EPR system, make recycling obligations trackable. The limits are real: devices become e-waste themselves, vendor impact claims are often self-reported, and data only helps if someone acts on it every week.
Sources
- UN DESA, Goal 12 targets and indicators
- UN, Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026, Goal 12
- UN, Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- UNEP, Food Waste Index Report 2024 press release
- UNITAR and ITU, Global E-waste Monitor 2024
- European Commission, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
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