Die Grenzen des Konsums

In the German Environment Agency's research project "Die Grenzen des Konsums: Nachhaltiger Konsum unter der Berücksichtigung von Planetaren Grenzen und globalen Wachstumsdynamiken," Steffen et al.'s (2015) concept of planetary boundaries was applied to individual consumption behaviour in Germany.

Consumption patterns in Germany significantly exceed planetary boundaries

A series of detailed infographics highlight the extensive findings: Germany's current consumption habits far surpass planetary limits. This high consumption level intensifies climate change and leads to increased nitrogen and phosphorus deposits in the environment, affecting ecosystems and the ecosphere. These disruptions interfere with biogeochemical cycles, which are crucial for regulating interactions between organisms and the environment and are fundamental to all life processes on Earth.

Technical transformation of energy systems or lifestyle changes - or both?

The researchers examined how much a future shift to renewable energy in production and energy systems could lessen the environmental impact of consumption, and what lifestyle changes are essential to remain within planetary boundaries.

• What will happen to greenhouse gas emissions if we consider a globally rising standard of living, both with and without technical transformation?
• How must our lifestyles adapt to ensure we stay within planetary boundaries?

Living well within planetary boundaries – model lifestyles

While lifestyles are as unique as people, these questions can be addressed with some general insights. A series of twelve infographics showcases model lifestyles within planetary boundaries, featuring fictional personas in a defossilised world. In this scenario, the technical shift has already been accomplished: production and energy systems run on renewable energy, electric heating technologies and battery-powered cars are standard, and enhanced energy and material efficiency and circularity are part of everyday life.

The project, conducted between 2020 and 2023, was implemented by ifeu - Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg gGmbH and adelphi consult GmbH, under commission from the German Environment Agency.