Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Apine, Lilija
Format: Dataset Open Access
Language:en
Published: PANGAEA 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.777297
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867169988198006784
author Apine, Lilija
author_facet Apine, Lilija
collection Datos científicos de ciencias marinas y ambientales
contents In a modern society it is generally accepted that the major cause for environmental problems is the current consumption pattern in industrialized countries, thus it is crucial to understand underlying processes and search for solutions in order to consciously progress towards sustainable consumption. In this paper the exclusive role of municipalities in promoting sustainable consumption is recognized. By analyzing the example of the situation of municipalities in Latvia, the reason for focusing on local level when dealing with sustainable consumption issues, as well as main obstacles and possibilities for municipalities' progress towards sustainability are revealed. Promotion of sustainable consumption cannot be based solely on eco-efficiency. Sufficiency strategy plays a crucial role. Since positive social environment for sufficiency dimension is vitally important, local level holds exclusively crucial role for its implementation - the potential of municipalities here is unbounded. Although local authorities already have many tools available, they are insufficiently discovered. Insufficiently exploited tools are property tax relief as support mechanism, establishment of advisory boards, green procurement, promotion of social entrepreneurship and collaborative consumption, as well as delegation of municipalities' functions to NGOs, thus encouraging nonmaterial wellbeing by strengthening social ties and community activities.
format Dataset Open Access
id pangaea_https___doi_org_10_1594_PANGAEA_777297
institution PANGAEA
language en
publishDate 2012
publisher PANGAEA
record_format pangaea
spellingShingle Table 1 of experts and representatives interviewed
Apine, Lilija

In a modern society it is generally accepted that the major cause for environmental problems is the current consumption pattern in industrialized countries, thus it is crucial to understand underlying processes and search for solutions in order to consciously progress towards sustainable consumption. In this paper the exclusive role of municipalities in promoting sustainable consumption is recognized. By analyzing the example of the situation of municipalities in Latvia, the reason for focusing on local level when dealing with sustainable consumption issues, as well as main obstacles and possibilities for municipalities' progress towards sustainability are revealed. Promotion of sustainable consumption cannot be based solely on eco-efficiency. Sufficiency strategy plays a crucial role. Since positive social environment for sufficiency dimension is vitally important, local level holds exclusively crucial role for its implementation - the potential of municipalities here is unbounded. Although local authorities already have many tools available, they are insufficiently discovered. Insufficiently exploited tools are property tax relief as support mechanism, establishment of advisory boards, green procurement, promotion of social entrepreneurship and collaborative consumption, as well as delegation of municipalities' functions to NGOs, thus encouraging nonmaterial wellbeing by strengthening social ties and community activities.
title Table 1 of experts and representatives interviewed
topic
url https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.777297