Transparency is the key towards sustainable production and consumption

Abstract

Current levels of consumption have pushed the global eco-system towards the brink that is irreversible damage, threatening various interconnected natural domains. Companies have replaced their humanity for assembly-line workers with dismally low wages and stressful working conditions to pursue profits. For these reasons it is imperative to establish a new concept for economies to revolve around sustainability, via 'Radical Transparency' in production chains. Numerous eco-labels and standards do exist but they offer fragmented coverage and sometimes even confuse both businesses and consumers. Therefore a common language and an overall system is required to inform all parties, allowing economies to achieve their sustainability goals. The proposed solution is built across two main categories, "People" and "Earth" and involves various criteria across socio-environmental domains. The common language is translated into a Standard built upon four pillars: - Pure (health and safety, authenticity, transparency), - Fair (workers rights, education and personal development, fair trading practices), - Life (biodiversity, animal welfare, natural resources conservation), - Renew (energy and GHG reduction, waste reduction, clean air, water and soil). Under each pillar, a set of principles articulate the essence of the concept in relation to product and company sustainability - representative of a M.E.C.E. (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhausting) system. The Standard has been designed to be applicable to all products and services, becoming increasingly specific for each product category. Principles from the Standard can be integrated into the core of businesses which will feed into production to meet the increasing demand for sustainable goods and services. Furthermore, the communication of a product's sustainability is essential and will lead consumers toward a more responsible lifestyle. This knowledge motivates the consumer to make informed decisions and this will incentivise the industry to offer alternatives - ultimately, building the path to a Sustainable Economy.