Future Earth Systems of Sustainable Consumption and Production Knowledge-Action Network Online Conference 2022
Transitioning to Systems of Sustainable Consumption and Production: From Knowledge to Action
8 – 17 November 2022
The need for systems of sustainable consumption and production is increasingly urgent, now more than ever. Far-reaching changes are required, but many challenges remain: How to transition to SSCP, build resilient, zero-impact industries and governance, overcome systemic inequality and injustice, and integrate new technologies, policies, and practices into everyday life? The SSCP KAN’s role is to provide a platform to tackle these challenges in a way that leads to real-world action and impact. This conference will be an opportunity to meet these challenges by showcasing examples of bridging research and knowledge production with implementation, education, and action. You are invited to join the discussion!
Program at a glance
November 8th, Tuesday- Day 1
ALL TIME ZONES
CET: 13:00 to 16:20 / EST: 7:00 to 10:20 / JST: 21:00 to 00:20
Keynote Speech: Is Digital Nomadism the Future of Consumption and Work in the Post-Pandemic Era?
Session 1: (Bio-) Diversifying Circular Economy Research and Innovation
November 10th, Thursday- Day 2
EUROPE-ASIA
CET: 10:10 to 11:40 / EST: 4:10 to 5:40 / JST: 18:10 to 19:40
AMERICAS-EUROPE
CET:15:00 to 17:00 / EST: 9:00 to 11:00 / JST: 23:00 to 1:00 am
Session 2: The Role of Education in the Implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals – How Sustainability Education Influences Consumption and Production Systems and Contributes to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
Session 3: Communication and education for sustainable consumption and lifestyles
November 17th, Thursday- Day 5
ALL TIME ZONES
CET: 13:00 to 16:30 / EST: 7:00 to 10:30/ JST: 21:00 to 00:30
Session 8: Impacts of Trans-Covid on Lifestyles and their implications for sustainability policy
Session 9: WORKSHOP: Local Action towards Achieving the SDGs: Designing Digital Tools to Match the Needs of Local Change Makers
Wrap-up & Closing
WRAP-UP & CLOSING
Program
November 8th, Tuesday- Day 1
ALL TIME ZONES
CET: 13:00 to 16:20 / EST: 7:00 to 10:20 / JST: 21:00 to 00:20
Welcome and overview
13:00-13:10 CET
KEYNOTE SPEECH
CET: 13:10 to 14:10
EST: 7:10 to 8:10
JST: 21:10 to 22:10
Is Digital Nomadism the Future of Consumption and Work in the Post-Pandemic Era?
Keynote speaker: Maurie J. Cohen (New Jersey Institute of Technology)
Keynote abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has simultaneously closed off and opened up new developmental paths that are extremely relevant from the standpoint of sustainable consumption and production. In addition, like a patient undergoing a stress test, experiences of the past two years have generated valuable insights about the actual state of our societal well-being. These new realities include, first, that the geographic association between consumption/homelife and production/work have been severed for a large number of people and going forward it will no longer be necessary to reside within daily reachable proximity of one’s source of livelihood. This situation opens up a wide range of “lifestyle arbitrage” opportunities. Second, modern consumerism created new possibilities for blending corporeal life and fantasy and the pandemic accelerated the trend by further merging real life with virtual and augmented realities. Finally, it seems that for the time being at least employees/consumers have gained a step on employers/producers in dictating the terms of their interdependent and inextricable relationship. The terms of this mutual dependence, however, will be severely tested as the global economy shifts into recession, further waves of automation are implemented, and newly established “norms” of remote employment give way to increasingly precarious forms of work.
Break
14:10-14:20 CET
SESSION 1
CET: 14:20 to 16:20
EST: 8:20 to 10:20
JST: 22:20 to 00:20
(BIO-) DIVERSIFYING CIRCULAR ECONOMY RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Session organisers: Paul Dewick (Keele University & The University of Manchester, UK) and Joe
Sarkis (Worcester Polytechnic Institute, US; Hanken School of Economics, Finland; Université
Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, France), plus other members of the KANSSCP CE Working Group
Session abstract
The circular economy (CE) has wind in its sails. Exponentially increasing academic attention (Goyal et al., 2021); interest among policy makers, industry and financiers (Dewick et al., 2020); increased trade (CircularEarth.org). Momentum and a bandwagon effect are propelling the implementation of CE principles and practices, well beyond the industrialized Global North. But is the pace of transition too fast? Have the wider, second order consequences of the adoption and scaling-up of circular practices been fully evaluated?
There is already concern over the extent that social factors are being integrated into circular thinking (Mies and Gold, 2021; Schroder et al., 2020). The rebound effect, Jevons’ paradox, and boomerang effect suggest limits to the potential for environmental burden reduction following CE initiatives (Korhonen et al., 2018). Biodiversity consequences of CE is particularly poorly understood. Buchmann-Duck and Beazley (2020) critique the conventional wisdom assuming CE and biodiversity are synergistic. They point to strategies of biomimicry, eco-system services, bioeconomy and renewables, that–under certain circumstances–not only do not contribute to conserving biodiversity, but can harm biodiversity. Others are more optimistic. Forslund et al. (2022) model how the interventions based on CE principles – narrowing, slowing, closing, regenerating – can “halt and partly reverse” biodiversity loss by 2035, especially in the Global South (even when the circular initiatives are in the North).
Context matters. The types of circular interventions, and consequential impacts on biodiversity in Finland (Ruokamo et al., 2022) are different from those in Brazil (Paes et al., 2021). We need to understand better the biodiversity impacts – both locally and globally – of circular practices. At the (Bio-) Diversifying Circular Economy Research and Innovation session we invite interdisciplinary academics and non-academic stakeholders to share their experiences and reflect on the challenges of fostering circular economy projects while contributing to enhanced biodiversity.
Individual presentation abstracts
November 10th, Thursday- Day 2
EUROPE-ASIA
CET: 10:10 to 11:40 / EST: 4:10 to 5:40 / JST: 18:10 to 19:40
AMERICAS-EUROPE
CET:15:00 to 17:00 / EST: 9:00 to 11:00 / JST: 23:00 to 1:00 am
SESSION 2
CET: 10:10 to 11:40
EST: 4:10 to 5:40
JST: 18:10 to 19:40
The Role of Education in the Implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals – How Sustainability Education Influences Consumption and Production Systems and Contributes to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
Session organisers: Dr Renuka Thakore, Founder, Global Sustainable Futures Progress through Partnerships Network (GSFN), Steering Committee Member of Future Earth, Systems of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SSCP) Knowledge-Action Network (KAN), Research Officer, University College of Estate Management
Session abstract
The consumption and production systems significantly impact economies, the environment, and societies worldwide and in all sectors. Apart from the significant environmental degradation, the high levels of resource use and the waste and pollution associated with both production and consumption phases of the lifecycle, including resource extraction, the production of intermediate inputs, distribution, marketing, use, waste disposal and re-use of products and services are paralleled by inefficient, polluting, and ultimately costly phases of development. The impacts of consumption and production patterns reflect the ability of many economies and societies to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These vary from the traditional decision-making and policies to scarcity, volatility, and pricing levels unaffordable for our economy’s manufacturing base. Based on the perceived need to drive innovation and sustainability in markets, enabling the transition to a green economy, this session, “The role of Education and UN Sustainable Development Goals – How Sustainability Education influences consumption and production systems and contributes to sustainable development goals” is proposed.
Session 3
CET:15:00 to 17:00
EST: 9:00 to 11:00
JST: 23:00 to 1:00
Communication and education for sustainable consumption and lifestyles
Session organizers: Philip Vergragt (Clark University and SCORAI) and members of the WgCoCo
Session abstract
This session is organized by members of the KAN SSCP working group “WgCoCo”, the working group on Communicating for Sustainable Consumption. This working group has been in existence longer than the KAN SSCP and was created after a workshop in Vienna in 2015. Its aim is to foster a transition to sustainable consumption and lifestyles through research and activism, taking into account that consumption is a collective process intrinsically connected to our culture, our economy, the production system, technologies, our values, our infrastructures, and our political systems.
This session contains papers both from the research and the practitioners’ sides. At the research side, Daniel Fischer et al. will present a stocktaking of the field based on findings of a systematic literature review of peer reviewed papers and comment on future directions. Stephan Wallaschkowski presents the results on a gender study on clothing, and Ginnie Guillen-Hanson the results on her research on gamification and its potential to promote sustainable lifestyles.
At the practitioners’ side, Ashly Colby presents the “Rizoma Field School” in Uruguay: its philosophy, practice, and results; Valentina Aversano-Dearborn presents Sustainability Adventures, and Philip Vergragt describes the methodology and initial results of “Listening sessions” with residents of Newton, Mass. USA
November 14th, Monday- Day 3
EUROPE-AMERICAS
CET: 15:00 to 18:10 / EST: 9:00 to 12:10 / JST: 23:00 to 2:10
Session 4
CET: 15:00 to 16:30
EST: 9:00 to 10:30
JST: 23:00 to 00:30
Visions, narratives and designs: participatory methods for exploring futures of sustainable consumption
Session organizers: Claire Hoolohan (University of Manchester); Anna Davies (Trinity College Dublin), Marlyne Sahakian (University of Geneva) and members of the WG on Social Change Beyond Consumerism
Session abstract
This session presents a collection of papers curated by Future Earth’s Future Earth Systems of Sustainable Consumption and Production Working Group: Social Change Beyond Consumerism. With concerns mounting about the climate crisis and the escalating pace of global consumption, there is increasing pressure on governments, organisations and communities to transform social life toward more sustainable patterns of consumption. This collection of papers focus on participatory methods for exploring futures of consumption. Reflections on a variety of methods, working with a variety of stakeholders (the public, sustainability practitioners, policy makers) are included. These approaches have in common a commitment to moving beyond behavioural approaches to social change, and emphasise how connections between everyday routines and systems of provision simultaneously embed unsustainable ways of living and hold the potential for sustainable futures to emerge. We explore what the future of sustainable consumption looks like, through a selection of participatory projects, and investigate the multifaceted roles of actors and organisations in fostering sustainable transitions.
Break
16:30-16:40 CET
SESSION 5
CET: 16:40 to 18:10
EST: 10:40 to 12:10
JST: 00:40 to 2:10
Changing consumerism, changing systems
Session organizers: Conference organizing committee
Session presenters: Erik Assadourian (Gaian Way); Guilherme Sallet Vieira (Universidade de Passo Fundo) & Janine Fleith de Medeiros (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul); Henrique Peter Derossi (Universidade de Passo Fundo) & Amanda dos Santos Souza (Universidade de Passo Fundo) & Janine Fleith de Medeiros (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul)
Session abstract
Presentations in this session focus on the values and worldviews that underlie consumerism and the socio-economic systems they currently support. Papers examine possible pathways toward changing consumerism to align with new values and how these changes might happen in practice.
November 16th, Wednesday- Day 4
ASIA-EUROPE
CET: 8:00 to 11:40 / EST: 2:00 to 5:40/ JST: 16:00 to 19:40
Session 6
CET: 8:00 to 9:30
EST: 2:00 to 3:30
JST: 16:00 to 17:30
Unpacking the Unpackaged Shopping: Opportunities and Challenges Facing Consumers and Retailers
Session organizers: Chiung-Ting Chang, Institute of Public Affairs Management, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan
Session abstract
The session aims to cover opportunities and challenges of unpackaged shopping facing consumers and retailers. Unpackaged shopping is to realize precycling, which reduces resources depletion right from the start. Consumers are confronted with the task about how to avoid bringing waste home when they are making decisions about purchase. Nevertheless, the number of consumers who purchase unpackaged products remains limited. Furthermore, there are similarities between unpackaged shopping and buying in bulk. The latter appears in open markets, grocery and dry food markets, and grain retailers in Taiwan, not just in package-free stores. Furthermore, as a result of customer autonomy, unpackaged shopping occurs also in diners, bakeries, cafés, and other stores. This session aims to present the status quo, as well as opportunities and challenges of unpackaged shopping from the perspectives of both consumers and retailers. Presenters in this session will be both practitioners and scholars.
Break
9:30-9:40 CET
SESSION 7
CET: 9:40 to 11:40
EST: 3:40 to 5:40
JST: 17:40 to 19:40
Transitioning towards zero waste – promoting the use of returnable food boxes
Session organisers: Dr. Elisabeth Süßbauer (TU Berlin, Center for Technology and Society), Dr. Henning Wilts (Wuppertal Institute Climate, Environment, Energy) and PuR – Systemic Solutions Towards Packaging Prevention, a cooperation between Technische Universität Berlin, Germany, and the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy
Session abstract:
One of the negative outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic is an alarming increase in waste plastics and a substantial decrease in its recycling on a global basis (Memon 2021; Kumar et al. 2021; Brock 2020). Next to medical products, increased waste plastics are related to the use of disposable food packaging (Leal Filho et al. 2021). In many countries, people bought or ordered more prepared food for take away during the pandemic (Deloitte 2021). This change in consumer behaviour continued until now and may continue after the relaxation or stop of COVID-19 countermeasures, because habits might turn into household practices that are, for example, integrated in the temporal organisation of everyday life (Greene et al. 2022).
Systems for returnable food boxes can be a cornerstone towards waste reduction. However, the actual savings potential depends heavily on the useful life and frequency of the containers, as reusable packaging is generally more resource-intensive to manufacture than disposable packaging (Jarupan et al. 2003). Thus, it is important finding ways to mainstream the use of returnable food boxes adopting an integrative view on practices of retailing and practices of consumption.
This session will gather different perspectives from research and practice on returnable food boxes.
November 17th, Thursday- Day 5
ALL TIME ZONES
Tokyo: 21:00 to 00:30 / CET: 13:00 to 16:30 / US Eastern: 7:00 to 10:30
Session 8
CET: 13:00 to 14:30
EST: 7:00 to 8:30
JST: 21:00 to 22:30
Impacts of Trans-Covid on Lifestyles and their implications for sustainability policy
Session organizers: Philip Vergragt (Clark University and SCORAI)
Session abstract
When the Covid 19 pandemic was at its height in 2020, an international team in SCORAI reviewed how changes during lock downs, social distancing and health protection may have long term impacts on lifestyles. Their review of relevant literature, market research surveys and big data as it became available indicated that lifestyles were being affected by how people related to their home, their neighborhood and their city and how they could continue their daily activities of work, travel, obtaining goods and services, social connectivity, leisure and entertainment (Book published by Routledge 2021). Whilst vaccinations brought great relief and enabled exit from lockdowns, many impacts of the pandemic are sticking. Many advisory and consultative bodies proposed that we were moving to a ‘new normal’ and would not be returning to the pre-Covid normal when the pandemic ended.
It is now evident that Covid is not passing but that we have moved to a trans-Covid era where we are living with the health implications of the illness. It is therefore pertinent to review what is sticking and where trans Covid trends are leading. The major changes were generated by accelerated digitalization which enabled people to work from home, obtain online goods and services with delivery, replace some face2face contacts with virtual connectivity and obtain entertainment through gaming and streaming. These changes were not a result of individual decisions but the availability of a new level of internet infrastructures. However, their impacts around the world have not been universal; although there are some similarities between countries and cities, there are also some wide differences which cannot easily be explained by measures taken to restrain the transmission of the virus, the geographical context, differences in levels of income or differences generated by cultural values. Moreover, where major impacts are occurring, they are not necessarily generating trends to more sustainable lifestyles. On the contrary – it appears that environmentalists’ hopes for beneficial impacts of the pandemic were short lived and that the long term sticky digital trends are promoting less sustainable lifestyles, with people living in larger houses and using less public transport.
A working group in SCORAI is currently investigating the similarities and differences in how lifestyles have been affected by Covid 19 and their implications for policy making, particularly concerning housing and cities, commerce and mobility. The group will present their interim findings through cross country comparative data and through several in depth case studies.
Break
14:30-14:40 CET
Session 9
CET: 14:40 to 16:10
EST: 8:40 to 10:10
JST: 22:40 to 00:10
WORKSHOP: Local Action towards Achieving the SDGs: Designing Digital Tools to Match the Needs of Local Change Makers
Session organisers: Prof Thomas Reuter and Emmanuelle Vital on behalf of the SAP team
Session abstract
At SSCP 2022, the ‘Sustainability Action Platform’ (SAP) team will jointly introduce our FE initiative for local sustainability action as well as provide an update on our progress so far as we actively pursue funding. Briefly, SAP is a project aiming to co-design a user friendly digital platform for the exchange of knowledge on local solutions between peers across all sectors (local business, government and community), but also between local actors and the scientific community. With its integrative approach, SAP facilitates alignment between local strategies and the SDGs by promoting systemic change. The SAP’s integration of scholarship and praxis is innovative, advancing both scientific understanding and local decision-making. The SAP team is rooted in the collaboration and sharing of knowledge among researchers and practitioners.
In this workshop, we invite anyone with experience or an interest in local sustainability efforts to join the workshop and then consider continuous participation in the SAP initiative. We will also endeavor to invite local practitioners and especially practitioners from the Global South to the workshop, to present their perspective on these topics. We are developing a number of thematic subgroups to explore obstacles, opportunities and strategies for promoting local action, and for science engagement in this process, including: the role of multistakeholder processes; sharing of good practices and local knowledge; use of appropriate standards and metrics; innovations in policy and governance; and the use of emerging technologies. We will solicit feedback from WS participants across all disciplines on these topics, using break out rooms – if this is technically possible. Otherwise, we will explore key topics in an open discussion.
Wrap-up & Closing
CET: 16:10 to 16:30
EST: 10:10 to 10:30
JST: 00:10 to 00: 30
WORKSHOP: Local Action towards Achieving the SDGs: Designing Digital Tools to Match the Needs of Local Change Makers
Session organizers: Conference organizing committee
Session abstract: This session is an opportunity to digest the content of the conference and make future plans for collaboration.
THE FUTURE EARTH SSCP KAN ONLINE CONFERENCE 2022 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Steven R. McGreevy (University of Twente)
Jaco Quist (TU Delft)
Daigee Shaw (Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica)
Ria Lambino (Research Institute for Humanity and Nature)
Charles Chiu (Center for Sustainability Science, Academia Sinica)
Kartika Anggraeni (Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production)
Ginnie Guillen-Hanson (Tampere University)
The Conference will be hosted by the Future Earth SSCP KAN in collaboration with: Future Earth Global Secretariat Hub Taipei (Academia Sinica) and Future Earth Global Secretariat Hub Japan (Research Institute for Humanity and Nature).
