Consumers International

World Consumer Rights Day 2020

The Sustainable Consumer

This World Consumer Rights Day (15 March 2020), consumer organisations around the world are joining together to call for global changes to avert environmental breakdown.

We urgently need drastic action to address the global crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The decade of the 2020s is our last chance to limit global warming to 1.5c since pre-industrial times, in line with the Paris Agreement and to reverse the current trend of wide-scale biodiversity loss.

The consumer movement will highlight the lifestyle changes consumers can make to play their part, and what governments and businesses need to do to make sustainability the easy choice for consumers.

If you would like to learn more about this year’s topic and campaign you can download our public campaign outline, or read our blog; Five Trends Driving Progress Towards Sustainable Consumption.

About the Theme

Millions are already feeling the effects of climate change. Consumers have a vital role to play. Firstly, through their purchasing power – a global study found that 66% of consumers say they’re willing to pay more for sustainable brands (a figure that rises to 73% for Millennials). But also, through their ability to push for system change in supply chains or changes in regulation. Consumers are already making changes to their lifestyle to be more sustainable – recycling, reducing food waste and avoiding unsustainable products, and they can make a bigger impact with further support from businesses and governments. A recent survey found 37% don’t know how they can help tackle climate change and 59% feel they do not get enough support from governments, and 51% from business.

Governments and businesses must also act to give consumers the information, choice and the infrastructure they need to live more sustainable lives. Consumers are critical to the success of any transition to more sustainable consumption but they cannot do it alone.

Gen Z – a vital generation

Young people are a key focus for World Consumer Rights Day. They are the face of climate activism – Greta Thunberg is 17-years-old, school children are striking against climateExtinction Rebellion Youth protestors are in their teens and twenties. A survey of 10,000 people aged 18-25 in 22 countries around the world, found that climate change was their most pressing concern.

Our members will be going into schools, colleges and universities to talk to young people about sustainable consumption and ask them what they want to see from governments and businesses.

Learn more : consumersinternational.org