The region has regressed on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and urgently needs to reverse material consumption and footprint trends to meet the goal, notwithstanding progress on individual targets. Rising incomes and lifestyle changes and continued resource-intensive growth patterns are expected to further exacerbate resource depletion and ecosystem degradation. Concerted public and private action is needed to increase resource efficiency, fundamentally shift consumption patterns and production processes, improve waste management systems, and transition toward a more circular economy approach

Countries should by now realise that we have a global socio-ecological crisis, and it is real and present, and not looming. This crisis is closely related to social unrest, stability and peace. COVID-19, in addition, has caused millions of people to lose their jobs. This means that national action plans/national development plans should prioritize issues associated with responsible production and consumption, and strongly focus on green economy, clean energy, green chemistry, and generating associated employment opportunities. They should also focus on giving their universities a mandate and support to conduct research into more sustainable packaging, more recyclable plastics, more degradable plastics, and clean energy.