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] The broader application of AI across sectors promises to boost productivity, drive innovation, and generate new economic opportunities, encouraging global growth in a sustainable manner. Qhubo
• [New] Economic predictions, which estimate that damages from global heating would be as low as 2% of global economic production for a 3 C rise in global average surface temperature, were inaccurate and were blinding political leaders to the risks of their policies. Grist
• [New] The global economy could face a 50% loss in gross domestic product between 2070 and 2090 from the catastrophic shocks of climate change unless immediate action by political leaders is taken to decarbonize and restore nature. Grist
• [New] Mass production of nuclear power will make a major contribution to energy for AI Data centers in the 2030s and could start in 2029 if new players can execute. NextBigFuture.com
• [New] The restrictions imposed by China could complicate Foxconn's efforts to diversify its production capabilities and expand its operations in India. Observer Voice
• [New] Inflation as measured by the price index for personal consumption expenditures falls from an estimated 2.5% in 2024 to a rate roughly in line with the Federal Reserve's long-run goal of 2% in 2027 and stabilizes thereafter. Congressional Budget Office
• [New] The new plant in Cartagena, whose production of renewable fuels represents 5% of its total diesel production or 17% of its paraffin production, will be joined in 2025 by a second one in Puertollano. The Corner
• [New] The potential removal of EV tax credits in the U.S. could level the playing field for competitors but may also benefit Tesla due to its high U.S. content in vehicle production and superior cost structure. investing.com
• [New] A number of factors will contribute to the rise in energy prices globally in 2025 including growing demand, increasing production costs, high wholesale prices, diminishing gas inventories and cold weather. Renewable Energy Hub
• [New] If global demand for LNG increases and Mexico's need for piped gas grows, U.S. consumers could face rising gas prices if domestic production fails to keep up. American Security Project
• [New] The global economy could face a 50% reduction in gross domestic product between 2070 and 2090 unless action is taken to address risks associated with climate change. Insurance Business
• [New] Syria has the potential to significantly increase its oil and natural gas production, which can provide energy and government revenue that are critical for its stability and reconstruction. Atlantic Council
• [New] The global lender disclosed that oil production is expected to increase over the forecast period but remain below the 1.5 million barrels per day quota of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Business Post Nigeria
• [New] Plastic production is only expected to accelerate as consumption and demand increase and by 2040, plastic is expected to be responsible for around 20% of global emissions. InSight+
• [New] Oil prices will be under pressure over the next two years as global production growth outpaces demand. Irina Slav on energy
• [New] Global oil prices: EIA expects growth in global oil production to outpace global demand for petroleum products, which would push oil prices downward through 2026. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] By 2025, global production is expected to exceed demand, with production forecasted at 104.4 million barrels per day compared to demand at 104.1 million barrels per day. FX Empire
• [New] The reduction in premature deaths as a result of the nicotine product standard, when accounting for a menthol product standard, would result in 17.9 million life years gained by 2060, raising to 60.6 million life years gained by 2100. Federal Register
• [New] Assuming increasing initiation rates for noncombusted product use until year 2030 implies that the number of people who use tobacco will be higher under the baseline and nicotine product standard scenarios, with a higher proportion being people who use noncombusted tobacco products. Federal Register
• [New] People who use non-cigarette combusted tobacco products would continue their existing use patterns, thereby maintaining their risk of tobacco-related death and disease. Federal Register
• [New] Consumer misperceptions regarding the harms associated with nicotine may lead to inaccurate judgements about the risks of using products that contain nicotine, including NRT. Federal Register
• [New] Based on FDA's population health model, by the year 2100, in the United States, approximately 48 million youth and young adults who would have otherwise initiated smoking would not start as a result of the proposed product standard. Federal Register

Last updated: 20 January 2025