Expert seminar: Sustainable Consumption in a Green Economy

The Major Group of Children and Youth's SCP lobbying team dragged me along to a side event on the consumption perspective in sustainable development focusing on the Nordic and other key European experiences. However, I am glad I spent my Sunday evening at this discussion of how to promote sustainable consumption patterns and sustainable lifestyles globally that stimulate a greening of the economy.

We arrived a few minutes late as there had been meeting about Rio +20 in DC2. But we still managed to get a lot out of the event. You can see the slides here if you are interested in experiencing the event for yourself. What I found unique about this event was that there was a lively discussion (and debate) with the audience. Gabe gave a great intro to the youth perspective on the topic and it was just fun to participate in the buzz.

So, tomorrow is Monday and another day of active lobbying at the UNCSD-19. So, bed for me.

You can also watch an interview with Danish Minister for the Environment Karen Ellemann at CSD19: Sustainable Consumption and Production – Trade barriers or global responsibility?

Who Spoke:

The seminar was opened by Antero Honkasalo, Environment Counsellor and Director, Finnish Ministry of Environment, after which Professor Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, Professor John Holmberg, Vice President of Chalmers University, Sweden and Mr. Rajan Gandhi, CEO at Society in Action Group (SAG) presented their perspectives on sustainable consumption in a green economy.

These speakers were then joined by panellists from a broad range of organisations and regions of the world, including Timo Mäkelä, Director at DG Environment of the EU Commission; Dianne Dillon-Ridgeley, Director of Interface Inc. and the Center for International Law; Nis Christensen, Deputy Head of Division, Danish Environmental Protection Agency; Shun Fung Chiu, Professor and President of the Asia-Pacific Roundtable on SCP; Vanessa Timmer, Executive Director of One Earth Initiative; and Luis Flores Mimica, Project Manager, Consumers International, Chile. 

Organizers:

 
The seminar was organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers and its working group on Sustainable Consumption and Production in cooperation with the European Environment Agency (EEA) and its European Topic Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (ETC/SCP)