Sustainable development is concerned with satisfying human needs for resources now and in the future without compromising the carrying capacity of the planet.

• Consumer attitudes and behaviours towards sustainability: eco-warriors, eco-champions, eco- fans, eco-phobes.

• Eco-labelling and energy labelling schemes.

• Creating a market for sustainable products: pricing considerations, stimulating demand for green products, production of green products.

• Pressure groups.

• Lifestyle and ethical consumerism.

• Implications of take-back legislation for designers, manufacturers and consumers.

• Consider eco-labelling and energy labelling schemes from different country contexts

• Advantages and disadvantages of consumer and environmental pressure groups for the user, manufacturer and designer

• How pressure groups exert influence for changes on these issues and support or undermine development of specific technologies

• How consumer and environmental pressure groups can attract widespread support using the media (including social media)

• How consumers have become increasingly aware of information provided by pressure groups and as markets have globalized, so has consumer power

Designers develop products, services and systems that satisfy basic needs and improve quality of life. To meet sustainable consumption requirements, they must also minimize the use of natural resources, toxic materials and waste, and reduce emissions of pollutants at all stages of the life cycle