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Multilateral regulation

Policy instruments for resource efficiency: towards sustainable consumption and production

A review of policy instruments to promote sustainable consumption and production

Authors: ; UNEP/Wuppertal Institute Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP); Wuppertal Institute for Environment, Climate, Energy GmbH
Publisher: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, 2007

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This report provides a brief overview of various policy instruments that can be used to promote sustainable consumption and production (SCP), aimed at boosting resource efficiency. The report features case studies from developed and developing countries.

The following policy instruments are discussed:

Regulatory instruments:

  • norms and standards: European Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), European Union
  • environmental liability: EU environmental liability directive
  • environmental control and enforcement.

Economic instruments:

  • environmental taxes: trade tax reductions for cleaner production at municipal level, Paraguay & United Kingdom Landfill Tax
  • fees and user-charges
  • certificate trading: European Union greenhouse gas emission trading scheme
  • environmental financing: environmental fund Tunisia and environmental programme promotion with preferential credit terms, Germany
  • green public procurement
  • subsidies: promotion of solar home systems in Bangladesh.

Research and educational instruments:

  • research and development: environment-driven business development in Sweden
  • education and training.

Cooperation instruments:

  • technology transfer
  • voluntary agreements: voluntary commitments in Chile.

Informational instruments:

  • eco-labelling: European Union energy label & Forest Stewardship Council Label
  • sustainability reporting: the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).