Konsumtionsmål

Konsumtionsmål is a term used in environmental and sustainability policy to refer to formal targets for the level and structure of consumption within a population, organization, or jurisdiction. The idea is to limit the environmental impact associated with the use of materials, energy, water, and land by guiding consumer demand and production practices. Targets may focus on total consumption, per-capita levels, or the composition of consumption, such as reducing share of resource-intensive goods or promoting higher-quality, longer-lasting products.

Measurement relies on indicators such as domestic material consumption (DMC), material footprint, ecological footprint, energy use per capita, or the carbon intensity of consumption. Baselines and time horizons are set to be consistent with broader sustainability goals, such as decoupling economic activity from resource use or aligning with climate targets. Data collection typically involves national accounts, trade statistics, and life-cycle analyses.

Konsumtionsmål are used in policy design to guide regulations, taxes, subsidies, public procurement, labeling, and urban planning. Implementations may include setting caps on certain resource categories, promoting sufficiency through behavioral guidelines, and encouraging product standards and circular economy practices to reduce overall demand while maintaining well-being.

Critics argue that measuring and setting consumption targets can be challenging due to data gaps, rebound effects, and distributional impacts. Achieving consumption reductions may create political resistance if not accompanied by improvements in living standards or equitable policies. Proponents contend that consumption targets can complement emissions- and energy-based targets by addressing the physical scale of resource use.

See also sustainable consumption, ecological footprint, material footprint, decoupling, sufficiency.

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