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1.1The need topromotesustainablelifestylesLifestyles are social prints of how we live – they guideour habits, frame our behavioural and consumptionchoices, shape our identity, influence our health, andwelcome or exclude us from social relationships.Everyone has a lifestyle, and yet lifestyles remainchallenging to understand systemically and to directlyaddress in the context of social transformation.Still, there is ample evidence that lifestyles can beinfluenced and that they change.If our lifestyles shape our behavioural patterns, thenfrom a sustainability perspective, lifestyles also defineour footprint. Everyone has a responsibility to delivera better human society and a better planet to futuregenerations. This responsibility is operationalizedthrough our preferences and the choices we make.As individuals and households, how we live – how weexercise our pursuit of well-being and happiness –affects others and has an impact on the environment.On the community or institutional level, governmentsare responsible for policies and initiatives that framethe societal context in which people, householdsand communities operate. Businesses, and the valuechains they comprise, have a responsibility throughtheir operations and the goods and services theyoffer. Each and every one of us has an impact on theworld. Thus sustainable lifestyles are essential to ourpursuit of happiness and at the heart of sustainabledevelopment.Discussions around lifestyles are age old. Fromthe beginning of civilization, among ancient Greekand Chinese philosophers, to today, among theecological and behavioural scientists, many effortshave been made to define the essence of “the goodlife.” Thornstein Veblen (1902) in The Theory of theLeisure Class was an early influence in the studyof material consumption. He linked the underlyingmotive of “conspicuous consumption” to expressionsof identity – a display of social status where peopleseek to affiliate with or differentiate from others andto differentiate between membership in a superior“leisure class” and the wider majority of those in thelabour classes. This is different from “inconspicuousconsumption” – ordinary everyday consumption, notoriented toward display but rather meeting needs,convenience, habit, practice, and social norms.In the 21st century, the discussion has acquired newcomplexities as globalization results in value chainsthat span the earth and changes in communicationand information technologies have made the worlda smaller, more interconnected place. Though manypeople are better off, there are increasing socialinequalities (across and within countries) and globalecological trends which threaten the ability to meetall human needs and the stability of our intertwinedsocieties, and which test planetary boundaries.2

Box 1degradation and global warming, and calls on allpeople of the world to take swift and unified globalaction.Evidence qualifying impacts of lifestyles onsustainable development is mounting. By 2050,without radical changes in production-consumption1IntroductionThere is now recognition that current consumption,defined by lifestyles, is one of the underlying driversof unsustainable trends. His Holiness Pope Francisis only one of the most recent public leaders whohave directly addressed consumption. His encyclical(Pope Francis, 2015) criticizes consumerism andirresponsible development, laments environmentalWhat is a sustainablelifestyle?A definition of sustainable lifestyles should address the role of materialconsumption as well as the broader context within which lifestyles occur –acknowledging people’s aspirations for happiness, recognizing the ecologicaland material limits to meet demands, and the interdependence among peoplein a shared consumption space. This publication uses the following definition:A “sustainable lifestyle” is a cluster of habits and patternsof behaviour embedded in a society and facilitatedby institutions, norms and infrastructures that frameindividual choice, in order to minimize the use of naturalresources and generation of wastes, while supportingfairness and prosperity for all.Creating sustainable lifestyles requires a change in social norms and in thedesign of the systems that support lifestyles. It means rethinking our waysof living – including how we buy and organize our everyday lives. There arealso implications for how we socialize, exchange, share, educate, and developour identities. At the macro level, it is about transforming societies to bettermeet people’s needs in balance with the natural environment. As citizens, athome and at work, the choices we make on food, housing, mobility, consumergoods (including clothes and appliances, etc.), leisure (including tourismproducts and services), communication, and interaction contribute to buildingsustainable lifestyles.(This is an updated definition based on UNEP (2010), the Taskforce on SustainableLifestyles (Sweden, n.d.), and recent research as referenced in this publication.)3

systems, three planets’ worth of resources will berequired to support projected consumption levels(Global Footprint Network, n.d.). For transformativechange, interventions should target the mostinfluential lifestyles, those with the highest impactson the environment and those which drive globalaspirations. This publication targets these middleclass urban lifestyles, the largest consuming segmentof people in industrialized regions and increasinglyin all other regions. While the environmental impactsof highly consumptive, unsustainable lifestyles ofindustrialized countries are well documented, moreneeds to be done to address their influence onemerging regions. This influence is strengthenedby upholding the North American and European“dream” which continues to define appetites of thenew urban middle-class everywhere.CC BY-NC Ilja SmetsThe global middle class is anticipated to grow from1.8 billion to 4.9 billion in population between nowand 2030 (Kharas, 2011) and the vast majority of thiswill be youth and will live in Asia, though many otherswill live in burgeoning urban environments in Africaand Latin America. It is estimated that between 2009and 2030 the global middle class demand could growfrom US 21 trillion to US 56 trillion (Ernst & Young,2011). They will be increasingly ready to spend asthey aspire (and set aspirations for others) to a higherquality of life. Hence, as well as addressing lifestylesof industrialized societies, targeting the middle classof emerging economies will play a significant role inensuring the sustainability of the planet. The globalpolicy agenda now specifically references sustainablelifestyles, as evidenced by the Paris Climate ChangeAgreement and the recently adopted SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs). Goal 12.8 sets thetarget: “By 2030 ensure that people everywherehave the relevant information and awareness forsustainable development and lifestyles in harmonywith nature.”4

Key lifestylesdomainsand theenvironment1Introduction1.2Given that consumption is heavily embedded inlifestyles, researchers have been able to identify keydomains where consumption and lifestyles have thehighest environmental impacts by combining anunderstanding of consumption patterns, life-cycleanalysis and sustainability indicators for carbon,material, and ecological footprinting. For example,the International Resource Panel (IRP) produced asynthesis report (Hertwich, van der Voet, & Tukker,2010) with a global assessment of final consumptioncategories and product groups that have the highestenvironmental impacts across their life cycle. Thetop three impact categories are food and agriculture,housing and building construction, and mobility andtransportation. Other studies which focus on national(e.g.: Lettenmeier, Liedtke, & Rohn, 2014; Michaelis &Lorek, 2004) and regional (Backhaus, Breukers, Mont,Paukovic, & Mourik, n.d.; EEA, 2012; OECD, 2002) levelsdraw similar conclusions. In addition they all highlightthe large footprints of consumer products and services,including those related to tourism and entertainment.There are, however, limitations to relying only onfootprint calculations for policy design and action.These include: problems with data, the number ofindividual product life cycles that would need tobe analysed to provide a comprehensive impactassessment, and the fact that most assessmentscarried out reflect consumption in industrializedcountries and regions. For a broader picture oflifestyle impacts, quantitative methods (such asfootprint analysis) need to be complemented withnormative, qualitative assessments, especiallyin the case of emerging economies. This reporthighlights that sustainable lifestyles imply morethan material consumption alone. Beyond justenvironmental impacts, the social impacts oflifestyles and consumption can be equally or evenmore problematic.For the purposes of developing research-based,practical strategies and responsive interventionstowards sustainable lifestyles, the key domainsof final consumption highlighted in this reportare: food, housing, mobility, consumer goods andleisure. Water, energy, and waste are not addressedin isolation but as cross-cutting elements that affectand are affected by almost every lifestyle domain. Theemerging practice of hotspot analysis to highlightwhere action could be taken along supply chainsand potential impacts, though not covered in thisreport, is instrumental in the next steps (Barthelet al., 2014; Tukker et al., 2006; UNEP, 2010b).Similarly, understanding the political economy aroundconsumption and the power dynamics in the supplychain would further highlight which stakeholder(s)has the most potential for sustainability.5

Food.factors that have impacts on the environment includeoutlet of purchase, storage period and facilities,preparation process, and consumption. Apart fromenvironmental impacts, concerns around lifestyles andfood include health, obesity, an increasing numberand intensity of allergies, and social impacts ofagricultural practices. Globally, almost a third of foodharvested is wasted or lost; contributing to this arechanging dietary trends, particularly in urbanenvironments which increasingly favor more resourceintensive (GHG producing) foods such as processedfoods and meats. This occurs in a global contextwhere 1 in 9 people are hungry and 2 in 10 are obese.There is clearly potential to shift to more sustainablepatterns. Cities can encourage more sustainable dietsthat ensure adequate nutrition while reducingenvironmental footprint, raising awareness, andchanging behaviour around food waste. Enactingpolicies in planning, housing and transportation canalso support more sustainable low carbon foodsystems and encourage more sustainable local foodproduction such as backyard and community gardens.What we eat and drink –how it is produced, processedand provided – and how wedispose of it all have impactson the environment andsociety.INPUTSPeople make decisions related to food based on bothobjective and subjective factors, including cost,freshness, health impacts, presentation (e.g.,packaging), place of origin, convenience, taste, andculture. At the use phase in the food system, someLAND USEENERGYWATERHEALTHCONVENIENCEOUTPUTSPOST- INGAIR POLLUTION (GHG)CHEMICALS/POLLUTANTSLAND FRAGMENTATIONSOLID WASTEFigure 1: Lifestyle aspects andthe food supply chain

How we live, where we live,what is used to build, heatand cool our living spacesand what we install in ourhouses have social andenvironmental impacts.INPUTSThe building sector contributes up to 30 per cent ofglobal annual greenhouse gas emissions and usesup to 40% of all energy (UNEP, 2009). In order toaddress this, we need innovative solutions on whatfuture buildings and cities will look like. BuildingLAND USEMINERALS & METALSNATURAL RESOURCESconstruction requires resources such as sand, woodand metals. Many of the materials require preprocessing and some of them are sourced throughmining. The mining process alone causes biodiversityloss, deforestation, emissions of GHGs and useof hazardous chemicals. People make decisionsrelated to housing based on both objective andsubjective factors, including cost and size of thebuilding, building characteristics, aesthetics, theneighbourhood, and available amenities. While livingin houses we use energy and water, and disposeof waste: important energy considerations includeefficiency insulation and heating and/or cooling. Theway neighbourhoods are built affects many aspectsof society, including the rate of crime, commutingdistances, the opportunities for neighbours to createstrong ties and form vibrant communities and thegeneral well-being of inhabitants. Finally, at theend of a house’s life cycle, the building needs to bedemolished, requiring energy and producing UTPUTSPOST- GINSULATIONRENOVATIONRECYCLINGDEMOLITIONAIR POLLUTION (GHG)LAND FRAGMENTATIONSOLID WASTESEWAGEFigure 2: Lifestyle aspects andthe housing supply chain7

Mobility.What forms of transport wechoose, how often we travel,and the distance travelledas well as the supportingsystems and infrastructurehave impacts on society andthe environment.INPUTSThe transport sector is responsible for 13 per cent ofgreenhouse gas emissions and 23% of CO2 emissionsfrom global energy consumption (GEF-STAP, 2010).Citizens make mobility decisions based on cost, choiceLAND USEFOSSIL FUELSMINERALS & METALSOTHER NATURALRESOURCESof transportation mode, congestion, convenience, timeefficiency, connectedness, and environmental impacts.Mode of transportation is particularly significant –flying tends to have the highest environmental impact,followed by private car use. Other factors, such asdistance covered, number of people in the vehicle peruse, technology efficiency, and type of fuel used alsocontribute substantially. Awareness of climate changehas led to increased understanding of mobility impactson society and the environment. However, more canbe done to understand how people’s mobility needscan be addressed in a more sustainable way. Part ofthis involves questioning the need for mobility in givensituations, and in making living choices that requireless transportation (e.g. residential housingconfigurations that require less commuting and lesstravel for shopping and entertainment). For example,policy responses can include combinations ofmeasures that discourage unnecessary transportation,adopt more sustainable modes of transport, andimprove existing systems of TPUTSPOST- NCYACCESSCONVENIENCERECYCLINGDEMOLITIONAIR POLLUTION (GHG)WASTE WATERLAND FRAGMENTATIONSOLID WASTEFigure 3: Lifestyle aspects and themobility supply chain

The products we buy, the typeand quantity of materials thatare used in producing them,how we use them, and howoften we replace them haveimpacts on society and theenvironment.Examples include electric and electronic appliances,clothing and shoes, cosmetics and personal care,jewellery, furniture and paper products. Productswhich tend to have the highest impacts are thoseproduced using mined materials and fossil fuels.Consumer goods are important because of their dailyuse and their role in defining our image and habits.Leisure.How we spend leisuretime, our choice of tourismdestinations and activities,and the facilities we use havesignificant contributions tothe environment and society.Leisure embodies a wide variety of activities– from meditation and reading to flying andwatching television; or swimming, golfing,1IntroductionConsumergoods.The expanding role in modern lifestyles of electric andelectronic products (e.g. mobile phones and otherinformation communication products) means relatedenvironmental impacts are increasing, through thegrowth of electronic waste, pollution, and mining ofrare earth metals. However, they also have a strongpotential to unleash sustainability efforts because oftheir role in disseminating information and enhancingknowledge/experience exchange, and their globalreach.The fashion and textile industries have evolved toembrace a fast-fashion phenomenon, characterizedby tens of “micro-seasons” and some popular brandsintroducing hundreds of new styles a week. Forsome middle class consumers, clothes are rarely,if ever, worn and move quickly to landfills. Theseconsumption patterns have huge implications forresource scarcity and pollution, with impacts that varyaccording to fabrics, dyes, chemicals, tra

Fortunately, sustainable lifestyles are now solidly anchored in policy. The COP21 Paris Agreement made it clear that sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption and production (SCP) will be key in the fight against climate change. The goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustain