New report published on changes to production-consumption systems resulting from COVID-19, and possible prospects for the future.
22 May 2020
Claire Hoolohan and Maria Sharmina contributed to the report, which adds to the public debate on what the world will look like when we get through the COVID-19 pandemic
The report provides much-needed evidence for a possible acceleration of the transition to sustainable consumption and production and presents evidence on how normality has been disrupted in the provision of food, water, mobility and other sectors. It includes a discussion on the likelihood that so-called 'behavioural changes' will be retained after the crisis ends, and provide a discussion of possible futures out of the crisis. Existing research indicates that disruption and change of practices is already widespread in key areas such as hygiene, food provision, mobility, shopping, alternative economies and thrift, water use and gardening, and household work, co-ordination and care. There are however, many uncertainties about the future. Four imagined futures are presented as possible outcomes involving various levels of retaining new practices: (1) Recovery, (2) Collapse, (3) Accelerated Transition to Digitalisation and (4) Accelerated Transition to Sustainable Development. The report argues that, while it’s not possible to control the future, changed practices may lead to a more just and sustainable society.
Read the full report at the link below: