Changing Lifestyles, Attitudes and Behaviour: towards effective strategies for regions in sustainable consumption and development.
The increasing emphasis on sustainable development at EU level also affects policy-making at the regional level. Successful implementation of policies which support sustainable alternatives requires a commitment from consumers and sometimes a very considerable change in behaviour. A growth in consumption and unsustainable lifestyle trends combined with a lack of recognition or responsibility for the impacts of such behaviour can reduce the efficacy of attempts to introduce sustainable policies. In order to reverse these trends and encourage a reduction in both the domestic use of key resources (water, energy, materials) and the generation of waste, as well as reducing reliance on use of the private car, strategies and tools need to be developed to support policy aimed at encouraging citizens to adapt their behaviour accordingly. The overall objective of ChangeLAB is to provide partners and others engaged in policymaking on sustainable development with guidance on how to effectively change patterns of consumption without reducing quality of life and prosperity. By providing practical guidance and best practice examples for local and regional authorities and agencies across the EU, ChangeLAB seeks to increase awareness of sustainable consumption issues and the link with successful policy implementation.