MERCOSUR and sustainability

The concern with the adoption of production and consumption patterns

Abstract

The adoption of more sustainable production and consumption patterns has become one of the main actions to combat environmental degradation and, simultaneously, promote sustainable development. Thus, the objective of this article is to analyse the main guidelines established in the 2030 Agenda, which includes the Sustainable Development Goals, with emphasis on SDG nº 12, and in the United Nations Consumer Protection Guidelines in terms of promoting sustainable consumption, in order to identify the initiatives developed and under development in MERCOSUR Law, in terms of sustainable production and consumption, which are compatible with the aforementioned international guidelines. To this end, the following research problem was established: What are the main existing legal initiatives in MERCOSUR, in terms of sustainable production and consumption, compatible with the guidelines of the United Nations, with special emphasis on the guidelines contained in the 2030 Agenda on the Goals of Sustainable Development and the United Nations Consumer Protection Guidelines? The research that is presented is of a qualitative nature, having used the normative-descriptive method, and the techniques of bibliographical and documental research. As a result, it was found that MERCOSUR is seeking to implement the UN guidelines contained in the two aforementioned international documents, in order to adopt more sustainable production and consumption standards, based on some specific initiatives, such as Resolution No. 36/2019, which inserts sustainable consumption as a regional principle, although many gaps still need to be filled, demanding more action on the part of the States that make up the bloc.