We are currently consuming more resources than ever and are exceeding the planet's capacity for regeneration, with many associated impacts from waste and pollution. The need for a concerted, cooperative effort to overcome these challenges by achieving a shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns is clear. It is about decoupling economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation and promoting sustainable lifestyles. Shifting to sustainable consumption and production is also about safeguarding the welfare and prosperity for all those living today and those who will come in the future.

The 10-year framework for sustainable consumption and production (10YFP) was adopted by UN member states in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. Today, 138 countries have appointed national focal points the task of coordinating the implementation of policies and practices in their countries and to report progress in accordance to target 12.1 in Agenda 2030. More than 550 institutions worldwide are participating in the six 10YFP programmes on food, buildings, tourism, public procurement, consumer information, and lifestyles and education.

Sweden is a co-leader of the sustainable lifestyles and education programme of the 10YFP, and a number of Sweden's national policies and grassroots initiatives on sustainable consumption show how such changes can be made. The Umeå conference in 2017 was a striking example and showcase for these efforts.