Every time we produce and consume, we expend energy. And too often, this energy is unclean. Take a car, for instance. To assemble it, manufacturing plants release carbon. To drive it, gasoline is guzzled. To dispose of it, more landfills are built. 

These unsustainable patterns result in the triple planetary crisis: air pollution, climate change, and habitat loss—which intensifies the cycle. These crises are the Earth’s biggest threat. What would it take to interrupt the cycle? 

Sustainable Development Goal 12—”responsible production and consumption”—investigates the question, and energy is an important piece of the answer. Embracing renewables, like solar energy, can support industry while safeguarding the planet. 

An Overview of Goal 12 

Sustainable Development Goal 12 strives to “ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns,” in efforts to protect the planet, improve resource efficiency, and promote lasting economic growth. This goal looks at the ways we create and dispose of our goods, advocating for sustainable practices that halt the triple planetary crisis. 

Here’s where we stand on key targets of Goal 12: 

• Food loss contributes 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

• High-income countries have a per-capita material footprint that is 10 times the level of low-income countries. 

• Fossil fuel subsidies nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021, reaching $732 billion, triggered by global crises. 

• Since 2016, the percent of companies that monitor and report on sustainability has tripled. 

Addressing each of these points requires a comprehensive approach. Our energy choices provide a place to start, as the common thread between industries and the production-consumption lifecycle. 

Back to the car—imagine if it were electric. Created by renewables, powered by renewables, and recycled by renewables. Solar energy is at the forefront of a revolution to rid the planet of its three threats, while creating space for innovation and growth. 

Solar Energy for Production 

Production is the process of crafting raw materials into finished products, be it through manufacturing, construction, or agriculture. New products add value into a country’s economy, which allows the gross domestic product (GDP) to rise. 

But more often than not, production erodes our planet. Manufacturing requires elements to be extracted from beneath the earth. Shipping materials generates pollution. Conventional farming leads to pesticide runoff and food waste. The production chain eats resources and emits carbon. 

Producing the goods we depend on everyday is an energy-intensive process. For instance, creating cement alone releases 3% of global greenhouse emissions. Solar energy reshapes production by eliminating emissions at the source. 

Solar Energy for Consumption 

Consumption happens when individuals purchase goods to use. This process drives economies forward; when people buy products, producers make more of them. In 2019, the world consumed 95.1 billion metric tons of material. 

That’s a lot of stuff. And the big question: Where does it all end up? Every year, 17% of food available to consumers is thrown away, 40 million tons of electronics are discarded, and 2.12 billion tons of waste is dumped. That’s enough to revolve around the Earth 24 times. 

The use of solar energy won’t stop garbage from piling up, but it will contribute to a circular economy. The production and consumption of goods requires energy. Renewables are unique because they won’t run out. Meanwhile, fossil fuels could be depleted by 2060. When we transition to sustainable energy, we pioneer a future that’s economically secure for all. 

Solar panels themselves recycle easily. Up to 95% of PV materials can be fully recovered and reused, including silicon, glass, metals, and wiring. By 2050, the solar recycling industry will accelerate to $80 billion. 

Apart from waste, solar energy empowers consumption through cost savings. When families and communities generate their own electricity, they gain financial resources to spend on other goods, which spurs sustainable consumption patterns and boosts economies. 

Looking Forward 

To protect our planet from its triple threats, we must prioritize Goal 12 by 2030. By powering sectors with sustainable sources, we empower consumers and build resilient economies. 

Developing regions gain a lot, too. Africa, for example, has yet to build its full manufacturing capacity. By harnessing renewables, the continent can leapfrog wealthy nations and directly build low-carbon sectors, which benefit everyone. 

The future of production and consumption depends on every country, every community, and every person. By shifting to renewables, and purchasing with care, we can build a brighter future.