Consumers need to SWITCH

World Cafe Discussion at the Networking Event

Asked what problems practitioners face to make a business out of SCP services, participants stated the lack of consumers’ awareness as a frequent answer. They considered convincing SMEs and consumers of buying SCP products and services a challenge. Due to confusing labels and messages consumers hesitate to buy sustainable products and services. SCP practitioners from the SWITCH-Asia programme saw various opportunities to promote sustainable consumption. They for example suggested consumer organization engagement, increased tailor made communication towards consumers or a further push to green public procurement. Network Facility expert Elaine Blatt seconded the call for the SWITCH-Asia programme to address consumer demand. Her thematic study Engaging the supply chain to promote sustainable consumption and production recommended that the programme needed to support the creation of sufficient demand or “market” pull.

Participants’ call for more sustainable consumption projects reflected the output of an exercise during the marketplace on the 1^st day of the Networking event. Based on their project activities project managers were asked to choose the target group they address most. In a triangle between SMEs, policy makers and consumer only 3 out of 30 projects are focusing primarily on consumers.