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Impact of Unsustainable Consumption and Production on the Environment
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Basics of Sustainability
Abstract
In recent decades, the patterns of consumption and production have undergone significant transformation due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and globalization. While these changes have contributed to economic growth and improved living standards, they have also created serious environmental concerns. Unsustainable consumption and production practices have led to the excessive use of natural resources, increased waste generation, and severe environmental degradation. This study focuses on analyzing the impact of unsustainable consumption and production on the environment. It examines key issues such as overconsumption, industrial pollution, plastic waste, and resource depletion. The paper also explores sustainable alternatives including recycling, efficient resource utilization, and the adoption of circular economy practices. Furthermore, it highlights the role of individuals, industries, and governments in promoting sustainability. The findings suggest that without immediate corrective measures, the environmental consequences of current consumption and production patterns will become irreversible. Therefore, achieving sustainability under SDG 12 requires collective efforts, policy intervention, and increased awareness among all stakeholders.
Keywords
SDG 12, Sustainable Consumption, Environmental Degradation, Waste Management, Pollution, Climate Change, Circular Economy, Sustainability
References
[1] United Nations (2015). Sustainable Development Goals
[2] World Bank (2020). Environmental Sustainability Report
[3] UNEP (2019). Global Environment Outlook
[4] OECD (2018). Sustainable Consumption and Production Policies
[5] Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017). Circular Economy Report
[6] IPCC (2021). Climate Change Report
[7] European Environment Agency (2020). Waste Management Report
[8] World Economic Forum (2022). Global Risks Report
[9] FAO (2019). Food Waste and Sustainability Report
[10] McKinsey & Company (2020). Sustainability in Consumption
[11] Nature Journal (Various Issues on Environmental Studies)
[12] Journal of Cleaner Production (Sustainability Research)
[13] ScienceDirect Articles on Waste Management
[14] Springer Research on Environmental Sustainability
[15] ResearchGate Papers on Sustainable Development
How to cite this paper
@article{1715722,
author = {Utkarsh Goyal, Gayatri Mandal, Saritha},
title = {Impact of Unsustainable Consumption and Production on the Environment},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {9},
pages = {2878-2883},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1715722.pdf},
abstract = {In recent decades, the patterns of consumption and production have undergone significant transformation due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and globalization. While these changes have contributed to economic growth and improved living standards, they have also created serious environmental concerns. Unsustainable consumption and production practices have led to the excessive use of natural resources, increased waste generation, and severe environmental degradation. This study focuses on analyzing the impact of unsustainable consumption and production on the environment. It examines key issues such as overconsumption, industrial pollution, plastic waste, and resource depletion. The paper also explores sustainable alternatives including recycling, efficient resource utilization, and the adoption of circular economy practices. Furthermore, it highlights the role of individuals, industries, and governments in promoting sustainability. The findings suggest that without immediate corrective measures, the environmental consequences of current consumption and production patterns will become irreversible. Therefore, achieving sustainability under SDG 12 requires collective efforts, policy intervention, and increased awareness among all stakeholders.},
keywords = {SDG 12, Sustainable Consumption, Environmental Degradation, Waste Management, Pollution, Climate Change, Circular Economy, Sustainability},
month = {March},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1715722}
}