In closing out 2013 we look at three sustainable consumption items.
First, Rachel Botsman, over on Collaborative Consumption, attempts to define some terms found in the “sharing economy.” She uses visuals and examples to clarify the difference between “Collborative Economy,” “Collaborative Consumption” and “Sharing Economy.”
The Sharing Economy, defined via Collaborativeconsumption.com
Second, the new report “A Practice Perspective for Sustainability Policy Interventions” suggests that social practices are a better place to intervene than behavior, choice or technology. The writers describe practices as activities that “make up everyday life—showering, doing the laundry, cooking or driving—what we might call inconspicuous or ordinary consumption.” The authors argue that these practices, rather than the consumer’s isolated behaviors or particular technologies, are a better focus for analysis and policy to encourage sustainable consumption.
Third and finally, the World Economic Forum offers up another report on sustainable consumption, “Sustainable Consumption: Stakeholder Perspectives”. This report is part of series from WEF that also includes:
- The Consumption Dilemma: Leverage Points for Accelerating Sustainable Growth (2011)
- Redesigning Business Value: A Roadmap for Sustainable Consumption (2010)
- Sustainability for Tomorrow’s Consumer (2009)
A few things to consider during this most consumptive of holiday seasons.
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This week over on Thursday Inspiration we look at what we can subtract from the picture to increase levels of sustainability.