Every year on March 15, World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) serves as a global platform to highlight the rights and needs of consumers. In 2025, consumer protection organizations worldwide are rallying behind the theme “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles.” This year’s focus underscores the need for stronger consumer protection and empowerment to drive the urgent changes required for a more sustainable world.
The Power of People-Centred Action
Sustainable consumption is not just an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity. Key insights from global institutions emphasize the profound impact of consumer-driven change:
Read also : How 3 EU Countries Account for 81% of Jewellery Production
- According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), by 2050, demand-side strategies could significantly reduce emissions:
- 44.2% reduction in the food sector (8 billion tonnes of CO2)
- 66.8% reduction in land transport (4.6 billion tonnes of CO2)
- 66% reduction in buildings sector (6.8 billion tonnes of CO2)
- The Food Systems Economics Commission reports that transforming food systems could contribute up to US$10 trillion annually to the global economy, with dietary shifts accounting for 70% of the benefits.
- The transition to clean energy is already contributing to economic growth. The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that in 2023, clean energy accounted for 10% of global economic growth.
- Policy influence is crucial—three-quarters of behavioral changes modeled in the IEA’s Net Zero 2050 Roadmap can be directly shaped by government policies.
Read also : 5 Key Insights About Electric Car Battery Degradation
The Intention-Action Gap
Despite widespread consumer support for sustainability, there is a gap between attitudes and actions:
- 94% of consumers in a Consumers International and GlobeScan study (spanning 31 countries and 30,000 consumers) support the transition to a green economy.
- A UNDP survey of 1.2 million people in 50 countries found that 64% see climate change as an emergency.
- OECD research highlights generational and gender differences—younger consumers and women are more inclined to make sustainable choices.
- However, enthusiasm does not always translate into action:
- A study in Brazil found that while most respondents intended to recycle e-waste, only a small fraction followed through.
- A U.S. experiment revealed that environmental attitudes influenced behavior only when the financial cost was low.
- In Europe, while 40% of consumers valued low-impact production methods, only 22% actively purchased sustainable products.
Read also : How to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer – Prevention Tips
Barriers to Sustainable Action
Several obstacles prevent consumers from fully embracing sustainable lifestyles:
- Affordability: 49% of respondents in a GlobeScan 2023 survey cited financial constraints as the main barrier to sustainable living.
- Availability: While 58% of consumers report that environmentally friendly products are accessible, this still leaves a significant portion struggling to find them.
- Cultural Norms: A study across 28 countries found that cultural habits often hinder the adoption of more sustainable and affordable practices in transportation and energy use.
- Misconceptions About Impact: A 2021 Ipsos study revealed that consumers tend to underestimate high-impact sustainable actions while overestimating less impactful ones.
Consumer Expectations: Who Should Lead the Change?
Consumers recognize that large-scale change cannot be achieved through individual action alone. They expect leadership from key stakeholders:
- Over 80% of consumers believe that governments, businesses, and international institutions are responsible for implementing necessary sustainability changes.
- 88% think large companies should actively encourage governments to take stronger action on climate change.
Read also : InfoCons Consumer Protection informs you about smuggling and counterfeit goods , together with SELEC
From Awareness to Action
World Consumer Rights Day 2025 is a call to action for a fair transition toward sustainable lifestyles. While consumers express strong support for greener choices, systemic barriers—ranging from affordability to misinformation—continue to slow progress. Bridging the intention-action gap requires policy interventions, corporate responsibility, and consumer empowerment. By working together, we can drive the necessary shifts to build a more sustainable future for all.
InfoCons – European Organization for Consumer Protection and Promotion of Programs and Strategies , a full member of the World Organization Consumers International, founding member of the Federation of Consumer Associations, and member of ANEC .