Short answer
Designers need to develop products and systems that not only minimize environmental impact but also actively support and simplify sustainable consumer choices within the existing socio-economic landscape.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Sustainability (2023)
- Method
- Systematic Literature Review
- Sample
- 104 scientific articles
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Understanding sustainable consumption requires acknowledging its inherent complexity and the interconnectedness of consumer behavior, circular economy principles, and governmental influence. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Sustainability. Using Systematic literature review with 104 scientific articles, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers need to develop products and systems that not only minimize environmental impact but also actively support and simplify sustainable consumer choices within the existing socio-economic landscape.
Sustainable Consumption is a Complex, Multifaceted Concept
Understanding sustainable consumption requires acknowledging its inherent complexity and the interconnectedness of consumer behavior, circular economy principles, and governmental influence.
Sustainability · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Sustainable consumption is a complex and nebulous concept with theoretical fragmentation leading to overlapping ideas.
- 02There is a noted link between consumers and the circular economy, but significant difficulties exist in this interaction.
- 03The challenges and components of being a 'green consumer' in contemporary society were identified.
- 04The importance, role, and tools of government in promoting sustainable consumption were highlighted.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers need to develop products and systems that not only minimize environmental impact but also actively support and simplify sustainable consumer choices within the existing socio-economic landscape.
How to apply
When designing for sustainability, conduct user research that explores not just product preferences but also their understanding of and barriers to sustainable practices, and investigate relevant policy frameworks.
Project actions
- 01When researching sustainable products, look beyond just materials and consider the entire user journey and disposal.
- 02Investigate how existing policies or lack thereof might impact the adoption of your sustainable design.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive systematic review of a broad range of literature.
- +Identifies key conceptual overlaps and complexities within sustainable consumption.
Limitations
The review's findings are based on existing literature, which may have its own biases or gaps. The practical implementation of sustainable consumption is often more challenging than theoretical discussions suggest.
Reliability & validity
The systematic review methodology, with clear inclusion criteria and database selection, enhances the reliability and validity of the findings regarding the conceptualization of sustainable consumption. However, the subjective nature of 'conceptual fragmentation' and 'overlapping concepts' introduces potential for interpretive variability.
Think critically
How can designers effectively bridge the gap between the theoretical ideal of sustainable consumption and the practical realities and complexities faced by consumers?
Design Principles
"Design for systemic sustainability, acknowledging and addressing the interconnectedness of user behavior, product lifecycle, and societal structures."
For designers and engineers, this complexity means that simply offering 'eco-friendly' products is insufficient. Successful sustainable design must consider the entire lifecycle and the user's context, including their motivations, barriers, and the broader societal and economic systems at play.
What This Means for Your Design
Being a 'green' shopper is really complicated! It's not just about buying eco-friendly stuff; it involves understanding how things are made, what happens after you use them, and dealing with government rules and confusing options.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this review to justify the need for a user-centered approach in your design project, emphasizing the complexity of sustainable consumer behavior.
- 2.Cite this work when discussing the challenges of implementing circular economy principles in your design context.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This systematic review by Vargas-Merino et al. (2023) highlights that sustainable consumption is a complex and fragmented concept, underscoring the challenges consumers face in engaging with circular economy principles and the multifaceted nature of being an environmentally conscious consumer. This complexity necessitates a design approach that moves beyond superficial eco-features to address systemic barriers and support user behavior within broader societal and governmental contexts.
Source
Sustainability
Sustainable Consumption: Conceptualization and Characterization of the Complexity of “Being” a Sustainable Consumer—A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about sustainable consumption is a complex, multifaceted concept?
- Designers need to develop products and systems that not only minimize environmental impact but also actively support and simplify sustainable consumer choices within the existing socio-economic landscape. Evidence: Sustainability (2023).
- Why does "Sustainable Consumption is a Complex, Multifaceted Concept" matter for design?
- For designers and engineers, this complexity means that simply offering 'eco-friendly' products is insufficient. Successful sustainable design must consider the entire lifecycle and the user's context, including their motivations, barriers, and the broader societal and economic systems at play.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers need to develop products and systems that not only minimize environmental impact but also actively support and simplify sustainable consumer choices within the existing socio-economic landscape.
- What were the main findings?
- Sustainable consumption is a complex and nebulous concept with theoretical fragmentation leading to overlapping ideas.. There is a noted link between consumers and the circular economy, but significant difficulties exist in this interaction.. The challenges and components of being a 'green consumer' in contemporary society were identified.. The importance, role, and tools of government in promoting sustainable consumption were highlighted.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Literature Review with 104 scientific articles.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing for sustainability, conduct user research that explores not just product preferences but also their understanding of and barriers to sustainable practices, and investigate relevant policy frameworks.
- What are the limitations?
- The review's scope was limited to specific databases (Scopus and Web of Science), and the conceptual fragmentation of the topic may lead to interpretation challenges.