Webinar on Consumer Protection in Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)

In today's world, the link between consumer protection and environmental sustainability is stronger than ever. Multilateral environmental agreements, such as the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), focus on promoting sustainable consumption, managing hazardous materials and protecting ecosystems. 

These international frameworks recognise the critical role that consumers play in encouraging more sustainable patterns of production and consumption. 

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are working together to align consumer information and protection policies with these multilateral environmental agreements, ensuring that consumer rights are respected while promoting environmental sustainability.

Ongoing research work has led to the following preliminary conclusions:

• Multilaterals on the environment, such as the Basel and Stockholm Conventions, can improve consumer protection by reducing exposure to hazardous substances and promoting sustainable consumption patterns.
• Providing clear and accessible information on the environmental impact of products enables consumers to make sustainable choices, driving responsibility along value chains.
• Integrating consumer protection tools such as labelling and standards with multilateral environmental agreements can strengthen both consumer rights and environmental sustainability efforts.

To advance both issues, consumer protection agencies in Member States will benefit from a deeper understanding of the intersections between consumer protection and multilateral environmental agreements.

By recognising these synergies, agencies can develop tools, policies and frameworks that simultaneously support the implementation of these agreements and protect consumer rights. 

This integrated approach would promote a more sustainable, equitable and responsible global marketplace, ensuring that environmental objectives are met while safeguarding consumer interests.