Marrakech Process
Towards a Global Framework for Action on Sustainable Consumption and Production

The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) of the WSSD in 2002 recognised that Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) is an overarching objective of and an essential requirement for sustainable development, and called on all stakeholders to "Encourage and promote the development of a 10-year framework of programmes (10YFP) in support of regional and national initiatives to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production to promote social and economic development within the carrying capacity of ecosystems..."

The Marrakech Process - a bottom-up multi-stakeholder process - was launched in 2003 in order to respond to this call. The Process has promoted and implemented projects on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and provided significant inputs for the elaboration of the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on SCP (10YFP).

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) acted as the Secretariat of this global process, with an active participation of national governments, , private sector, civil society, development agencies, UN Agencies and other stakeholders. See also UNEP-UNDESA joint website.

The Marrakech Process identified regional SCP needs and priorities, and supported the development of regional SCP strategies in most regions as well as the implementation of 33 demonstration projects worldwide. These included national SCP action plans, capacity building and SCP tool kits in the areas of sustainable procurement, tourism, buildings and construction, products, education and lifestyles, as well as various communications tools and awareness raising activities. The Marrakech Process informed the elaboration of the 10YFP, which was one of five themes at CSD 18 and CSD 19.

At CSD 18, the work of the Marrakech Process was duly acknowledged and recognized as a sound basis for the 10YFP. At CSD19, "Delegations reached full agreement on elements of a decision on a 10 - year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production…".

See the text on the proposal for a 10YFP elaborated at the CSD19.
( CSD19 Report: See paragraph 67-76)

To read more on the CSD19 outcomes click here.

Next Steps: 10YFP at Rio+20

Many delegations were disappointed that the 10YFP was not adopted at the CSD19; and have proposed its adoption at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio +20) in 2012. The Zero draft of Rio+20 document refers to the 10YFP in its paragraph 97.

The 10YFP represents a concrete and operational outcome that member states can deliver at Rio+20. It is hoped that member states agree and adopt the 10YFP at Rio+20.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARTNERS

The Marrakech Process would like to thank all of its partners for their cooperation and support over the years. The work of the Marrakech Process and its task forces was duly recognised during the different sessions of the current CSD cycle, and it is clear that SCP has gained attention on the international agenda.

The breadth of tools and experience on SCP at the global, regional and national levels developed through the Marrakech Process remains extremely valuable and, as stated several times during CSD 18 and 19, should be built upon. We will thus continue to make every effort to strengthen cooperation with stakeholders at all levels to increase commitment to accelerate the shift towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns and support the implementation of SCP.

The Marrakech Process Progress Report: Paving the Way for Sustainable Consumption and Production

This report provides an insight into the diverse activities that have been undertaken by the Marrakech Process during the last eight years, providing highlights and lessons learned from the work of its thematic task forces, and progress at the regional and national levels.

It includes over 30 examples of innovation and cooperation, ranging from local to global levels, and including projects on education and lifestyles, such as SCP clubs for children in Tanzania and a global survey on sustainable lifestyles; the development of regional and national SCP strategies and action plans; the implementation of sustainable public procurement at the national and local levels; an Eco-labelling Mechanism for Africa; campaigns and policy recommendations for sustainable tourism; and best practices for sustainable buildings and construction.

It is clear that the Marrakech Process constitutes a unique voluntary and multi-partner experience, providing effective mechanisms to enhance cooperation at all levels to deliver change towards sustainable consumption and production and resource efficiency.

The challenge now is to accelerate and scale-up the activities developed by the Marrakech Process.

Download the full report
Download the Executive Summary - English - French

 

UNEP-UNDESA
Joint Website

Key Documents:

The Global Outlook on SCP Policies - NEW

NEW The ABC of SCP - Clarifying Concepts on Sustainable Consumption and Production - available online in 4 languages: Chinese - English - French - Portuguese - Spanish

Paving the Way for Sustainable Consumption and production: The Marrakech Process Progress Report