The Economic Potential to Support Sustainability through Household Consumption Choices

Anna Claudelin, Sini Järvelä, Ville Uusitalo, Maija Leino and Lassi Linnanen
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Anna Claudelin: Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland
Sini Järvelä: Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland
Ville Uusitalo: Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland
Maija Leino: Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland
Lassi Linnanen: Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: The amount of money that could potentially be saved by households by reducing unnecessary consumption and directed to sustainable investments without compromising the social needs in Finnish households was studied. The study was conducted by using statistical data and by creating short- and long-term scenarios to assess potential savings resulting from changes in household behaviour. According to the results, a Finnish household could save and subsequently allocate an average of €3400–€15,000 annually to invest in sustainability. The greatest potential for preventing unnecessary consumption is related to (1) food and drinks, and (2) transportation. In the long-term scenario, reducing expenditures in the category of housing also provides opportunities for high savings. A significant share of the saving created by sustainable patterns of consumption can be directed for example to investments in renewable energy.

Keywords: sustainability transition; consumer; household consumption expenditure; scenario (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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