Our Scans · (LF.12) 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] Optimising domestic production of critical minerals will help protect UK supply against global trade and supply chain disruptions. GOV.UK
• [New] Adopting more plant-based diets could reduce global agricultural labour needs by 5-28 per cent (equivalent to 18-106 million full-time jobs) by 2030, mainly due to lower demand for livestock production. EurekAlert!
• [New] The global rebalancing of food production could cut agricultural labour costs by US $ 290-995 billion each year, equal to around 0.2-0.6 per cent of global GDP. EurekAlert!
• [New] As manufacturers scale production and reduce costs, silicon carbide will become even more accessible, unlocking its full potential across global markets. [Market Research Reports] - Research Google News Blog |
• [New] Expanded pharmaceutical production lines in Ireland, along with strong services exports, are expected to contribute positively to growth. Economy and Finance
• [New] By production microorganism, the bacterial systems are expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2025 to 2034. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Technological advancements, such as the transition to gate-all-around transistors for 2 nm manufacturing processes, will be pivotal in 2026, promising lower power consumption and improved performance. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] As global energy systems move toward decentralization and digitization, smart meters will play a central role in enabling sustainable energy distribution and consumption. openpr
• [New] Every major food processor in the world is on a journey to reduce the product losses and reduce water consumption, which will also contribute to environmental targets. AgFunderNews
• [New] Global SAF production needs to increase by at least 1,000 times current levels to meet 2030 targets. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• [New] The current sustainable aviation fuel production stands at just 0.1% of total jet fuel demand, as reported by McKinsey & Company, creating both an enormous challenge and unprecedented opportunity. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• [New] The World Economic Forum identifies bio-manufacturing as a key disruptor that could shift production from factories to fermentation tanks, dramatically reducing dependency on global supply networks. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• [New] The expansion of liquefied natural gas production in B.C. could add 200 LNG tankers a year over the coming decade, increasing the risk of pollution to already busy shipping lanes in the Georgia and Juan de Fuca straits. vancouversun
• [New] Sustainability: The global push for a circular economy will demand highly precise and efficient production systems that minimize waste, a role for which advanced robotics is perfectly suited. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• [New] Offshoring production to China demonstrates smart capital allocation by U.S. firms seeking higher returns, not a national security vulnerability. Information Technology and Innovation Foundation | ITIF
• [New] Macroeconomic officials worry about recession risks from disrupting Chinese supply chains, while national security personnel focus on domestic production capabilities. Discovery Alert
• [New] Electric vehicle battery production alone requires substantial quantities of lithium, with projections indicating 400% demand growth from 2022 levels by 2030. Discovery Alert
• [New] The Phillips 66 refinery is planned to shut down in 2026, leading to total refinery capacity falling to 1.483 million barrels per day, compared to 1.395 million barrels per day of consumption. Santa Clarita Valley Signal
• [New] Fastest-Growing Subsegment: Solid-State - Solid-state battery equipment will record a 34.5% CAGR through 2034, moving from pilot to initial production. Straits Research
• [New] EU countries are working towards an ambitious energy efficiency target of reducing final energy consumption by at least 11.7% by 2030, compared to the 2020 projections for energy use in 2030. Energy
• [New] The 2030s will witness additive manufacturing's transition from specialized applications to mainstream industrial production. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu

Last updated: 24 November 2025