MANILA, Philippines — Senator Pia Cayetano on Thursday said industries in the country should be persuaded to innovate into producing more eco-friendly products and packaging to encourage sustainable consumption among consumers, and help achieve the country’s zero waste goals.

Such is the main takeaway of Cayetano, chair of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Innovation, and Futures Thinking, from the panel’s third public hearing on Wednesday (January 22).

Cayetano led  the Senate Committee on SDGs, Innovation, and Futures Thinking’s third public discussion on the country’s action plan towards sustainable consumption and production, which forms part of the Philippines’ commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).            

Following through on the committee’s earlier hearing that focused on Goal 12 of the SDGs, Cayetano led another discussion to track the country’s action plan towards sustainable consumption and production.

Goal 12 of the SDGs calls on nations to ensure sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns, particularly through the promotion of consumer information and education for sustainable development and lifestyles.

Also discussed in the hearing were the best practices being implemented towards SCP at the national and the local level.  While stressing the importance of influencing consumer behavior to encourage waste reduction, Cayetano said industry manufacturers carry the bigger responsibility of shifting towards more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives for their products. (Stacy Ang/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)