Research project CP/17 (Research action CP)
Context
General context of a partial switch from environmental policies towards products policies. Study of the consequences and of the feasibility of these orientations:
- European level : Integrated Product Policy, in particular the "products study groups" aspect;
- Belgian federal level : Federal director plan "Product policy and environment", in particular the "products panel" aspect.
Project description
Objectives
- understanding of the logic of different actor groups relative to change and resistance considering the objectives of a "sustainable" products policy (environment and ethical criterions);
- determination of five "favourable" sectors regarding change of the consumption and production patterns;
- to foster concrete propositions of change for two sectors.
Methodology
Phase A : identification of the actors’ change and resistance factors and choice of the pertinent sectors
1. definitions of "sustainable consumption"
- within political projects (international - regional)
- from the different actor groups’ point of view
- in its relationships with the environment and the social factors
- in its relationships with the great phases of the product life cycle (production, supply, consumption, elimination)
2. elaboration of an analytical grid: utility
- characterisation of different sectors of production
- choice of the sectors to be studied
- assessment of the existing / current situation
- assessment of the feasibility for change
... regarding some criterions related to sustainable development
3. qualitative approach:
interviews with persons working in the field of sustainable development:
- differences regarding how they conceive "sustainable consumption"
- making an assessment of the sectors "having priority" regarding change of production and consumption patterns
focus groups : 2X2 consumer groups (french/dutch)
- do the consumers take into account "sustainable development" criterions in their consumption choices?
- sectors for which changes are wished/envisaged
Based on bibliographical and qualitative data, phase A is closing with the proposition of five sectors which appear to be more "favourable" to changes
Phase B : sector-based analysis
- product assessment approach:
within each of the five sectors, analysis of particular consumption products through a comparative study based on environmental and ethical criterions related to producers
- qualitative approach:
- for the five sectors as a whole : two focus groups
- for the two sectors where a deepening is needed : tests of change:
- 2X2 focus groups
- in depth face-to-face interviews
- "corporations" approach
Identification of the considered sectors’ potential factors for a change through analysis of:
- the actions that can be developed by corporations
- the corporations' room for manoeuvre
- the determinant factors which are susceptible to provoke a change in the way products are produced (including political instruments)
Tool : Business environmental barometer (1996, 1997, 2001) which will permit us to establish general sector-based profiles which will be used as a basis for in depth interviews
- other actors
enrichment of the sector-based analysis (NGOs, public sector, advertising) by:
- bibliographical studies
- organisations’ own documents studies
- interviews
qualitative assessment (kind of messages) of advertisement for the considered sectors
Phase C : test of changes
Two workshops with actors coming from the two sectors where the propositions for change will be presented and discussed
Interaction between the different partners
From a general point of view, each partner intervenes in each of the steps of the research project and an active co-ordination is assumed all along the project duration
But more specifically:
- the researchers of the Centre d’études du développement durable (CEDD) of the ULB co-ordinate the research project, they take part in this research from a theoretical point of view, and study different kinds of actors, excluding consumers and corporations;
- The researchers of the Centre de recherche et d’information des organisations de consommateurs (CRIOC) will focus their work on the aspects related to consumers and they will also conduct the qualitative approach;
- The researchers of the Centre entreprise-environnement (CEE) of the UCL will focus their work on the aspects related to corporations.
Expected results and/or products
- identification of opportunities for concrete change and possible obstacles regarding change;
- possibly, sectors’ engagement to put these changes on tracks;
- usable precise data concerning different sectors’ situation regarding expected policies;
- list of political instruments;
- recommendations to different political, economical and social actors;
- two workshops (phase C);
- wareness campaigns;
- supplying input for experts’- and consumers' representatives within the consultative commissions;
- possibly, inclusion of some results within the next European surveys of the Business environmental barometer.
Partners
Activities
- The CEDD (IGEAT, ULB) realises multidisciplinary studies related to environmental policies within the frame of sustainable development. It works on the elaboration and the implementation of policies and also on the socio-economical, technical or philosophical context of sustainable development.
- The CEE, inside the Marketing Unit of the UCL, seeks to promote a scientifically approach of the analysis of consumption phenomena. Its goal is both the enhancement of knowledge in this field and the development of usable instruments in help-decision.
- The goal of the Centre de Recherche et d’Information des Organisations de Consommateurs (CRIOC) is to supply technical advice to consumers’ organisations, to value the consumption function and to promote consumer’s protection. The CRIOC leads a pluri-disciplinarily activity.
Coordinates/Details
Edwin Zaccaï
Université Libre de Bruxelles - CP130/02
IGEAT - Centre d'Etudes du Développement Durable (CEDD)
50, avenue F.D. Roosevelt, B-1050 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 650 43 32; Fax: +32 (0)2 650 43 12
ezaccai@ulb.ac.be
http://www.ulb.ac.be/igeat/cedd
Marie-Paule Kestemont
Université Catholique de Louvain
IAG - Centre Entreprise-Environnement
1, place des Doyens, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Tel: +32 (0)10 47 84 77; Fax: +32 (0)10 47 83 24
kestemont@mark.ucl.ac.be
http://www.mark.ucl.ac.be
Catherine Rousseau
Centre de Recherche et d'Information des Organisations de Consommateurs (CRIOC)
18, rue des Chevaliers, B-1050 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 547 06 11; Fax: +32 (0)2 547 06 01
catherine.rousseau@oivo-crioc.org
http://www.oivo-crioc.org
Users Committee
- Nadine Fraselle - Observatoire du Crédit et de l'Endettement - Charleroi
- Nadine Gouzée - Bureau fédéral du Plan - Bruxelles
- Sandrine Hallet - Réseau Eco-consommation - Bruxelles
- Catherine Mertens - Conseil Fédéral du Développement Durable (CFDD) - Bruxelles
- Sophie Messens, SPF Santé publique, Sécurité de la Chaîne alimentaire et Environnement - Services fédéraux pour les Affaires environnementales
- Anne Panneels - Fédération Générale des Travailleurs de Belgique (FGTB) - Service d’études - Bruxelles
- Christophe Quintard - Fédération Générale des Travailleurs de Belgique (FGTB) - Service d'études - Bruxelles
- Daniel Tyteca - Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) - Institut d'Administration et de Gestion - Louvain-la-Neuve
- Joëlle Van Bambeke - Institut Bruxellois pour la Gestion de l'Environnement (IBGE-BIM) - Bruxelles
- Baudouin Velge - Fédération des Entreprises de Belgique - Bruxelles
- Anne-France Woestyn - SPF Santé publique, Sécurité de la Chaîne alimentaire et Environnement - Services fédéraux pour les Affaires environnementales - Service politique des produits - Bruxelles (suppléante)
Critères et impulsions de changements vers une consommation durable: approche sectorielle : rapport final
Bruyer, V. - Wallenborn, G. - Zaccai, E. ... et al Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2005 (SP1438)
[To download]
[Exhausted]
Criteria en impulsen voor veranderingen naar een duurzame consumptie: sectoriële aanpak : samenvatting
Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2007 (SP1780)
[To download]
Criteria and impulses for changes towards a sustainable consumption: approach per sector : summary
Brussels : Federal Science Policy, 2007 (SP1781)
[To download]
