Mapping the movement towards sustainable production and consumption in North America

The paper reviews some of the many initiatives and efforts to build networks and institute policies promoting sustainable production and consumption (SPAC) values and practices in North America since the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development. In addition to a review of literature, the paper analyzes a selection of SPAC initiatives in Canada and the US from the NASCA/CEC database. The paper also assesses results from interviews with representatives from government, business, consumer and environmental organizations on their experience and efforts to “take the lead” in influencing public opinion and behavior as well as government and corporate policy towards SPAC.