Policy

UNEP works closely with governments encouraging and supporting the development and implementation of effective policies to promote sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and accelerate the shift towards more resource efficient economies and sustainable lifestyles.

• Developing national and regional SCP strategies and a Global Framework for Action on SCP through the Marrakech Process. The Process is creating commitment from government, implementing SCP projects and building north-south cooperation as well as public-private partnerships.
• Supporting the implementation of National Programmes on SCP. UNEP provides guidelines, builds capacity (training sessions, workshops and information clearinghouses) and supports the implementation of national SCP programmes.
• Promoting Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) by providing guidelines, capacity building and assistance for the development and implementation of SPP Programmes. Recently UNEP has launched the Sustainable UN Initiatives (SUN) which will assist the organisation in implementing sustainable procurement and management in the UN.
• Demonstrating the potential benefits of SCP for poverty reduction in developing countries and developing capacity for the integration of SCP related objectives in national development plans and their implementation. To this end, UNEP is carrying out a SCP and Poverty alleviation project  that also aims to stimulate activities and investments of the private sector in SCP, by highlighting the benefits and opportunities of SCP-practices for businesses (including for example cost-savings, price premium, new markets, etc.). The project has a special focus on key sectors such as water, energy, waste and agriculture.