Consumption today

Three of every four European households have at least one car, and this percentage rises annually. Consumer demand places an intense burden on natural resources, and the manufacture, use and disposal of goods contribute to air, water and soil pollution. It is clear that European households have a significant impact on the environment.

Consumer tendencies are unlikely to improve in the years to come. However, more and more citizens are realising that consuming selectively and wasting less reduces pressure on the environment.

Citizens can exert a significant influence on different sectors of the economy when making their daily consumer choices at shops and supermarkets. Recent sociological statistics and surveys have shown that citizens' environmental awareness has risen in correlation with household incomes.