Accelerate action to revamp production and consumption patterns: the circular economy, cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy

Key messages

» Achieving sustainable development requires determined actions to revamp production and consumption patterns, creating a resource-efficient and resilient post-pandemic recovery.

» The notion of the circular economy facilitates greater level of social and environmental sustainability, by

emphasizing the vision of an economic system that designs out waste and pollution, keeps products and

martials in use and recognizes the residual value in natural resources and post-consumption waste, to

regenerate the natural system.

» Cooperatives and other enterprises of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) are recognized as taking a

leading role in incorporating the circular economic model into their businesses and communities. More supportive measures from governments are needed to strength their contribution to accelerated progress towards the goals of the 2030 Agenda.

» Continued efforts to improve statistical information on the circular economy, cooperatives and the wider SSE will help inform policy-making and facilitate transition to sustainable production and consumption.

www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/un-desa-policy-brief-109-accelerate-action-to-revamp-production-and-consumption-patterns-the-circular-economy-cooperatives-and-the-social-and-solidarity-economy/