Choices for sustainable consumption corridors

To what extent can a radical climate transition be achieved through various forms of social transformation, and what would that mean for different groups in society? This project explores how our consumption patterns can be shaped and steered toward equitable and sustainable consumption corridors, in which both a ceiling and a floor for consumption levels are defined.

The message from the scientific community, including the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is becoming increasingly clear: If we act now, we can still ensure a habitable and sustainable planet for future generations. However, the rapid and comprehensive societal transformation required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals can take different forms. An analysis of the paths and alternatives requires a systems perspective, a holistic view, and choices that open up opportunities for better lives—a step forward in development. This project will examine how a radical climate transition can be achieved through societal transformation, and what this means for different groups in society.

To clarify what this means in practice, we will focus on shifts that can occur in two fundamental dimensions: the view of work and the nature of consumption. Based on shifts in consumption patterns and the role of work, so-called “consumption corridors” are explored and negotiated through participatory processes at various levels—from households and local communities to the societal level. Consumption corridors entail
an upper and lower limit for the level of consumption of various goods and services that respects environmental boundaries while ensuring that basic needs are met for all groups in society. The project combines quantitative modeling of consumption profiles for different social groups with social and ecological sustainability analysis and policy analysis.

The goal of this project is to explore what a radical transformation of society might entail from a consumption perspective. Overall, the project enhances our understanding of how the Paris Agreement’s goals can be achieved through the engagement of societal actors, based on the choices and preferences of different groups within the framework of sustainable consumption corridors. These insights will be useful for decision-making in both the short and long term.