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] Demand destruction has already begun in gas markets, while fertilizer shortages will impact food production and prices for much of the rest of the year and beyond. financialpost
• [New] Rather than relying on a single global supply chain optimised for cost, firms increasingly consider the strategic risks associated with concentrated production in particular countries. The Daily Star
• [New] Consumption resilience in March is an encouraging forward indicator, but external risks including Middle East conflict and regional demand softness remain live variables. SSI
• [New] Reactivating decommissioned plants, refurbishing older installations with modern turbine technology and unlocking the potential of micro and hidden hydropower solutions can rapidly increase Europe's renewable electricity production and system services. EREF
• [New] Even under the most ambitious scenarios, between 50 and 65% of final energy consumption in 2040 is projected to remain non-electrified, particularly in international transport, industrial processes and parts of the buildings sector. EREF
• [New] The binding target of at least 42.5% renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by 2030 - with the collective aspiration to reach 45% - has not yet been secured in practice. / Sweden EREF
• [New] EREF's reference trajectory is at least 80% renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by 2040, with close to 100% in the electricity sector. EREF
• [New] In countries such as Bangladesh, India and parts of East Africa, the combination of high fertiliser dependency and intensive crop production has created a dangerous dual vulnerability. New Food
• [New] Enterprises increasingly expect explainable, production-grade and well-controlled AI within mainframe modernization processes. City AM
• [New] In 2026, decreases in CO2 emissions are due primarily to expected declines in coal consumption, most of which occur at power plants for electricity generation. / USA EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] In recent years, the China + 1 strategy, prompted by US tariffs, has made Vietnam a relocation destination for Chinese manufacturers seeking to diversify their production and mitigate trade risks. phnompenhpost.com
• [New] In the best-case scenario, it will take months for Gulf states to restore production to normal levels. investing.com
• [New] Any disruption to oil and gas supplies, shipping routes, or production infrastructure can quickly ripple across global chemical value chains. Chemical Market
• [New] The sharp reduction in oil production and exports last month is the first sign that the disruption in global supply is beginning to reverberate. investing.com
• [New] Urgent standardization and mass production of vehicle-mounted C-UAV jammers represent a significant Russian top-down effort to address the devastating threat from Ukrainian FPV drones. sUAS News
• [New] NDAA-compliant drone component producer Unusual Machines Inc. announced significant enhancements to its motor manufacturing operations in Orlando, with recent changes expected to more than double daily production. Streetwise Reports
• [New] Artificial Intelligence is transforming how sustainable fashion works in the U.S. AI tools help brands predict upcoming trends, optimize production, and reduce overstock, making fashion smarter and more eco-friendly. Trendalytics
• [New] Mars and ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) have today announced a five-year strategic partnership (2025-2029) to help advance climate-smart and regenerative agriculture practices in cocoa production in Ecuador across their shared cocoa supply chain. CNS Media
• [New] Population growth increases food demand, and rising global living standards, particularly the adoption of protein-rich diets, are projected to drive a 2% compound annual growth rate in global protein consumption through 2050. SpringerLink
• [New] Looking further out, a Boston Consulting Group estimate suggests that alternative proteins, including cultivated meat, could account for roughly one tenth of global protein consumption by 2035. Climate Cosmos
• [New] Investing in domestic grass-fed beef production would reduce reliance on imported beef - the bulk of grass-fed beef is currently shipped from Australia - and shift economic opportunity to local farmers and processors. Cornell Chronicle

Last updated: 27 April 2026