The 15th World Business Dialogue deals with the complex topic consumption. As it is defined as the final purchase of goods and services by individuals, consumption is essential.
This fact provokes economic and societal issues, both challenges and opportunities, which we have to be aware of today.
Consumption is the essence of our economic system, but also represents a basic need, it can be a status symbol, but also a misery index.
There are plenty of varieties and distinctions worldwide. In North America and Europe 90 million tons of groceries are littered, while every seventh human being is starving.
We have to rethink and reduce differences!
Globalization, technological development and diversifying environmental conditions influence our consumption, characterize cultures and implicates that the consumption of tomorrow will be dramatically different from today.
But how is our consumption changing and how will we deal with any developments? The increasing digitization is expanding our possibilities to consume in evidence. We are able to consume everywhere and at any time. E-Commerce is getting more attractive and substantial. Which consequences does this fact imply? Are conventional business models disappearing? How does this new easiness of consumption influence individuals as well as the economy?
While worldwide trade markets expand day by day, barriers occur at the same time. The lack of resources on energy markets is moving into focus. The demand for energy is increasing, while the supply cannot be increased at a simultaneous level. How can higher prices be avoided without neglecting sustainability?
Sustainability seems to be the most relevant topic. But what is its meaning for our consumption and how can we guarantee sustainability in respect of the environment and intergenerational justice?
We also set consumption in a collective context and ask ourselves how much large economies should be allowed to consume. Are we spending more than essentially necessary?
At the 15th World Business Dialogue we want to conceive consumption in detail and thus give a useful prospect of our future. What is it that we expect and claim for the future – and how can we suit action to the word?
