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Cross sectional topics

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Cross sectional topics

“Cleaner Consumption and Production” is not a scientific discipline in the strict sense, and it covers several Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations. It is embedded in the shift from a use-waste economic system to a circular economy.

Considering the holistic approach, we as well have to discuss aspects like participation, cooperation and steering processes, business and financing models, awareness raising, further education and citizens science, sharing economies, digitization, information and communication technologies and systematic and systemic innovation. There will be a focus on education (all levels from kids to politicians). Leasing and sharing in the production phase too, while consuming will play an increasing role in a circular economy.

This section contains with the following single topics:

  • Participation, cooperation and steering processes
  • Business and financing models
  • Awareness raising, further education and Citizens Science
  • Share & use instead of owning (Sharing Economy)
  • Digitization / Information and communication technologies
  • Zero waste technologies and systems
  • Systematic and systemic innovation
  • Education (all levels from kids to politicians)
Cross sectional topics

Consumption in a sustainable economy

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Consumption in a sustainable economy

Consumption plays a core role in a more sustainable society, based on circular economy and renewable resources. For many products, a lifecycle analysis shows that the emissions in the consumption phase exceed those from production. 

The decisions that the consumer can make to accelerate the development towards a low-emission, closed cycle economy are manifold. One important aspect is the purchase and use of durable and repairable products. However, this also requires that such products be produced. In this sense, eco-design plays an increasing role to enable long-term use, reparability, dismantling and reuse. 

Nevertheless, it should not be underestimated how strongly non-technical aspects play a role here. Repairable and durable products must be bought even if they cost more. Information and education are therefore also at the center of a path towards a Closed Cycle Economy. 

This section contains with the following single topics:

  • Degrowth and sufficiency
  • Nutrition
  • Mobility (everyday life, leisure and holidays)
  • Clothing
  • Living
  • Sustainable lifestyle concepts

Consumption in a sustainable economy

Resilient cities and their infrastructures as pioneers of change

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Resilient cities and their infrastructures as pioneers of change

Many events in recent years have shown that cities need new strategies to increase their resilience. On the one hand, the challenge is to deal with extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent as a result of climate change, but also with pandemics that suddenly and massively intervene in the economic system and thus change supply, consumption and all kinds of behavior. 

Resilience is particularly important in cities where many people live close together and are therefore constantly dependent on external supply. City administrations can and must make greater provision for such extreme situations. Prolonged dry periods pose different challenges than heavy rainfall events, but urban strategies can be similar. 

However, not only challenges are concentrated in the cities, but also possible solutions. The high density of people brings with it a high density of potentials. 

This section contains with the following single topics:

  • City Logistics
  • Energy supply
  • Urban circular economy
  • Greening the cities
  • Governance

Resilient cities and their infrastructures as pioneers of change

Production in a sustainable economy

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Production in a sustainable economy

Production is still the main source of emissions that harm the environment and cause climate change.

At present, most production processes are based on the use of non-renewable resources for materials and energy. Although many successes have been achieved since the beginning of cleaner production activities, much remains to be done. In addition to increasing resource and energy efficiency with the associated reduction of emissions and waste, the use of renewable materials and in particular the reuse and recycling of materials already in the economic cycle is the focus of a closed-cycle/zero waste strategy.

Sustainability assessment of products must have an increasing effect on the design of products and the production process.

This section contains with the following single topics:

  • Food (agriculture, production, distribution/logistics, …)
  • Consumer Goods
  • Buildings and movables
  • Ecodesign – ecological product design

Production in a sustainable economy