Global Scans · Responsible Consumption and Production · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

• [New] Less than 9% of 9 billion MT ever produced are recycled, and if plastic consumption and waste management remain as it is currently, 12 billion MT of plastics will be released in the environment by the year 2050, most of which will come from plastic packaging. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Current cumulative plastic production has risen above 8 billion MT worldwide and is expected to progressively increase in the coming decades. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] There will be fiscal sweeteners ahead of 2026 licensing rounds and elections, fiscal stability legislation could become more common, there could be new terms for incremental production and mature assets, with direct negotiations and other hybrid offerings on the rise. Offshore Energy
• [New] Increasingly severe and unpredictable weather events around the globe will continue to disrupt agricultural production, creating supply challenges. Dalhousie University
• [New] Conclusion The upcoming Budget presents a timely opportunity to reinforce India's consumption-driven growth path through targeted tax measures and structural reforms. Economic Times
• [New] Investment flows into sports infrastructure, technology platforms, and equipment manufacturing further strengthen Asia-Pacific's position as a global production hub, creating significant opportunities for global brands and local innovators alike. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Promoting cultivation and consumption of millets aligns with a range of UN Sustainable Development Goals and offer opportunities to develop a wide range of products with a lower carbon footprint, making it a triple win for farmers, industry, and consumers. BusinessGhana
• [New] The wine world in 2026 anticipates a rise in nonalcoholic and sparkling wines, with younger generations driving consumption. Economic Times
• [New] In the United States alone, consumption reached about 183 terawatt hours and is projected to rise sharply through the decade. RCR Wireless News
• [New] A further structural trend is artificial intelligence's (AI's) rapidly rising electricity demand: industry projections suggest data centers could exceed Japan's consumption by 2030, with grid bottlenecks already delaying around 20% of new projects. Financier Worldwide
• [New] As the Asia supply chain continues to mature and advance, it is likely that it will remain the dominant textile and apparel production and export hub with no near competitors in 2026. Sourcing Journal
• [New] USDA is currently assuming 15.5 billion pounds of soybean oil will be used for biofuel production in 2025-26, up a whopping 32% from the previous year. DTN Progressive Farmer
• [New] EU-ETS compliance is expected to cost $319.30 for every tonne of VLSFO consumption in 2026, $315.60 for HSFO and $324.78 for MGO, up from $185.04, $182.86 and $188.27 respectively in 2025. Ship & Bunker
• [New] In 2026, several European polymer plants are expected to close, and the decline in polymer production will continue. ICOSA s.r.o
• [New] As climate-tech and AgTech continue to intersect, the future of AgTech becomes inseparable from the ability to manage water, anticipate stress, and keep production resilient in a world that's changing faster than the traditional playbook ever imagined. ICL
• [New] The African Union's transition from the Malabo CAADP Agenda to the new Kampala Agenda (2026-2035) emphasizes building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems and boosting intra-African agricultural production. ExportFocus Africa
• [New] The planned fertilizer plant in Ethiopia, backed by one of Africa's richest investors, could significantly expand regional fertilizer supply, reduce costs, and strengthen maize, wheat, and other crop production. ExportFocus Africa
• [New] Public companies are set to defend maintenance production to avoid an outright decline and could opt for lowering payout ratios, hoping to gain operational and overhead synergies from M&A activity to offset full-cycle costs. investing.com
• [New] Ukraine plans to expand production to 4.5 million FPV drones per year. DroneXL.co
• [New] The expansion in Bangpakong strengthens regional supply capabilities in Asia, while a new APG production line in Cincinnati, scheduled for completion in 2026, will further enhance capacity in North America. Chemical Engineering
• [New] 2026 Growth: Global production and R&D investment in vanadium mining and chromium extraction are projected to accelerate sharply due to demand for advanced alloys and renewable energy systems. Farmonaut
• [New] Aquaculture is increasingly relied upon for global seafood production, projected to be the leading supplier by 2030. Nature

Last updated: 05 January 2026