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.

• 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

It is not only the role of designers to create markets for sustainable products. Consumers need to change their habits and express a want and need for these products.