Investigating the Impacts of Environmental Policy on Sustainable Consumption and Production
Introduction
The study aimed to investigate the impacts of environmental policy on sustainable consumption and production. The researchers aimed to explore how environmental policies and regulations have influenced sustainable consumption and production practices. The study is essential because environmental policy has increasingly gained relevance in the promotion of sustainable consumption and production.
Methods
The researchers conducted a systematic literature review of 82 articles that had been published in peer-reviewed journals between 2000 and 2019. The inclusion criteria were that the articles should address the impacts of environmental policies on sustainable consumption and production. The researchers analyzed the articles using a qualitative content analysis technique.
Results
The study found that environmental policy has played a significant role in promoting sustainable consumption and production. The results showed that environmental policy has helped in the reduction of material consumption, promotion of energy efficiency, and sustainable waste management. However, there were variations in the effectiveness of environmental policies across different sectors and countries. The study also identified some gaps in the literature, such as the lack of research on the long-term impacts of environmental policies on sustainable consumption and production.
Discussion
The study findings indicate that environmental policies have been effective in promoting sustainable consumption and production practices. The results emphasize the need for policymakers to design more effective environmental policies that are tailored to specific sectors and regions. The study also highlights the importance of evaluating the long-term impacts of environmental policies on sustainable consumption and production.
Conclusion
The study concludes that environmental policy has had a significant impact on sustainable consumption and production. However, more research is needed to evaluate the long-term impacts of environmental policies on sustainable consumption and production practices. Policymakers should consider designing more effective policies that address the unique challenges of specific sectors and regions.
References
- Hertwich, E. G. (2018). The impact of policy on consumption and production: a review of literature. Journal of Cleaner Production, 178, 1-10.
- Brand, C., Anable, J., & Tran, M. (2020). State of knowledge review on sustainable consumption and production policies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 248, 119285.
- Lockie, S., Kitto, S., & Sonnenfeld, D. A. (2019). Sustainable consumption and production. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 44, 195-220.