Green Transition and Sustainable Social Governance

China is transitioning to high quality economic development, featuring consumption as the key driver of growth. However, ever-mounting pressure is being exerted on resources and the environment, through high and at times wasteful consumption of resources and energy, discharge of sewage and waste, vehicle emissions, etc. Transformative change towards sustainable production has shown progress while consumption indicators are deteriorating. China’s social governance system requires greater attention to green lifestyle choices as a foundation for sustainable consumption. This effort can build upon existing Chinese and international efforts such as for environmental labeling and certification, green supply chains, environmental education, some sharing economy choices, environmental taxation, and various incentive systems. With the policy shift towards an economy built on domestic consumption, it is an urgent matter to ensure environmental sustainability is fully incorporated during the coming decade. If not, Chinese per capita consumption patterns may shift towards unacceptably high levels experiences in many developed countries. As WWF and other have noted, combined ecological footprints require more resources than our planet can currently supply sustainably. Thus several planetary boundaries already are being violated, and others threatened.

Task Force: Innovation, Sustainable Production and Consumption Topic: Sustainable Production and Consumption Year: 2019 Phase: Phase VI (2017-2022) Concluded