
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation now claims close to 70 percent of all freshwater for human use.
The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this goal. Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is equally important, as is supporting developing countries to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030.
A large share of the world population is still consuming far too little to meet even their basic needs. Halving the per capita of global food waste at the retailer and consumer levels is also important for creating more efficient production and supply chains. This can help with food security, and shift us towards a more resource efficient economy.
Environmental sustainability must be integrated with economic welfare and growth by decoupling environmental degradation from economic growth and doing more with less.
Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation claims almost 70 percent of all freshwater for human use.
Soil and leaf moisture sensors combined with humidity and temperature sensors can help farmers reduce levels of irrigation through more targeted use of water.
Industrial air quality monitoring sensors can report on carbon emissions to regulators for taxation purposes.