12. Responsible consumption and production
Decoupling economic growth from resource use is one of the most critical and complex challenges facing humanity today. Doing so effectively will require policies that create a conducive environment for such change, social and physical infrastructure and markets, and a profound transformation of business practices along global value chains.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
To adopt SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production, in support of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, please contact us at partners@eco-business.com
Adopt this goalNews
Seoul expects more than 2,200 tonnes of plastic savings a year as QR-code packaging becomes standard.
Waste
Japan’s Yokohama widens rollout of food waste vending machines as Tokyo pushes to curb emissions
New station units offer unsold bakery items at reduced prices, part of Yokohama’s growing push to divert food waste under Japan’s climate goals.
Policy & Finance
Philippines gets $500 million in blue economy investment from ADB
The loan will finance projects that support sustainable management of the archipelago's marine ecosystems.
Food & Agriculture
Indigenous voices shape fight for climate, food sovereignty from COP30 to Sri Lanka
Indigenous protests at the recently concluded COP30 echo global climate-justice demands, calling for territorial rights, forest protection and an end to extractive industries – themes strongly reflected in the discussions at the Nyéléni Global Forum on Food Sovereignty held this August in Sri Lanka.
Policy & Finance
In data: How many companies are ignoring AI's environmental risks?
Opinion
Manufacturing
The critical minerals race is putting the planet at risk
Robust legal frameworks, backed by effective enforcement, can create the conditions for stable and rights-respecting mining. That means safeguarding Indigenous rights, protecting water resources and ensuring independent, participatory, and transparent impact assessments.
Carbon & Climate
Australia’s withdrawal from COP31: Strategic recalibration or retreat from climate leadership?
Australia’s withdrawal from hosting the climate talks is a test of intent – and raises questions about ambition, readiness, and political courage.
Policy & Finance
Business unusual: UN must push for private sector accountability
The United Nations must clearly define the responsibility of the world's most powerful businesses to help tackle global challenges.
Carbon & Climate
How to measure climate progress
Ending reliance on oil, coal, and gas, and embracing technologies that will only improve and become cheaper over time, is not just smart climate policy. It is the best way to improve economic competitiveness and human prosperity for decades to come.
Policy & Finance
Indigenous women leaders at COP30: Listen to us as equals
Food & Agriculture
India’s farm policies behind bad air, unhealthy diet, water crisis
Carbon & Climate
Climate justice is no longer an aspiration but a legal duty
Policy & Finance
Businesses can’t build resilience without nature strategies
Videos
Policy & Finance
Simplifying sustainability reporting for SMEs
EB Studio
As Malaysia forges ahead with its 2050 net zero climate ambition, businesses must reshape their supply chains for a low carbon future. This Eco-Business video looks at how SMEs can adapt to new sustainability reporting requirements.
Carbon & Climate
Climate tech in Asia – finding the ‘X’ factor for success
Funding for climate-related solutions has slowed down and it’s a ‘tough game’ for startups, said those familiar with the climate tech space at The Liveability Challenge Grand Finale 2025. What can founders and innovators do to bring an idea to commercialisation? And is Singapore an attractive-enough testbed?
Corporate Responsibility
Has the era of ‘corporate vulnerability’ begun?
While some companies greenhush, others are upfront about their inability to meet sustainability targets. Eco-Business asked experts at the Ecosperity conference if it pays for businesses to be "vulnerable" about sustainability progress.
Carbon & Climate
‘Recovery within five years’: Carbon players bullish on market revival despite geopolitical jitters
The convergence of the compliance and voluntary markets, demand for high-quality carbon credits and efforts to raise the bar on project credibility mean the conditions are right for a market rebound, observers said at the GenZero Climate Summit in Singapore.
Podcasts
Corporate Responsibility
Refill fountains may not be effective at reducing waste: L’Occitane Asia sustainability chief Venisa Chu
The Asia Pacific ESG head of the B Corp-certified cosmetics firm says refill stations have been disappointing and getting suppliers on board with decarbonisation is difficult, but her team has not been affected by the ESG backlash.
Corporate Responsibility
How Australia took the lead in policing greenwashing
Former United Nations policy analyst and sustainability consultant John Pabon tells the EB Podcast how Australia became Asia Pacific's most progressive country in holding green claims to account.
The head of waste management non-profit Ocean Recovery Alliance tells the EB Podcast that recycled content mandates will drive the circular economy better than caps on virgin plastic production. Brands should be pressured more than petrochemical producers to phase out unnecessary plastics, he says.
Speaking from the INC-5.2 talks in Geneva, the Singapore Youth for Climate Action president argues that having no treaty is better than a watered-down pact with no limits on plastic production. But there is no explicit Asean-wide support for such caps now, she observes.
