AN international
study has identified existing trade and tariff systems as one of the barriers
to enhancement of sustainable system of economic growth and consumption.
A joint study by World Economic Forum (WEF) and Accenture says: “Trade systems
and tariffs rarely differentiate between unsustainable and more sustainable
alternatives, preventing a potential increase of 7–13% in the traded volumes
of sustainable products.”
The other barriers listed in the the study titled ‘More with Less: Scaling
Sustainable Consumption and Resource Efficiency’ include weak consumer pull,
supply chain complexity, and inadequate technology, limited policy incentives
and short-termism.
The study, which was issued on 16 July, notes that rise in commodity prices
over the past 10 years has undone 100 years of declining prices. Between 2000
and 2010, prices of widely-used commodities such as cotton, palm oil and cocoa
increased by 75%, 230% and 246%, respectively. In July 2011, cotton prices
were the highest they had been in 300 years.
It cautions the world will face a 40% global shortfall between forecast demand
and estimates of available water supply, by 2030.
Pointing out that there is no single solution to promoting sustainable consumption,
the study has listed a few initiatives to scale up the demand for goods and
services produced through sustainable business operations. The suggested initiatives
include enlightened consumers about sustainable consumption, transforming value
chain through new business models and transforming the rules of the game through
public-private partnerships.
|
