Tendencje zmian wzorców konsumpcji w krajach Unii Europejskiej w kierunku zrównoważonego rozwoju

The aim of the article was to identify changes in consumption occurring in the last decade in Poland and other European Union countries in terms of sustainable development and sustainable production and consumption. The article presents the trends and differences between countries in the level of resource productivity and in selected patterns of consumption, such as waste production, electricity consumption and the use of cars. The source of empirical data was the information from the European Statistical Offi ce Eurostat. They analysed 28 European Union countries and in particular presents the situation in Polish. Research period was 2004–2013. In the analysed period in EU countries we observed a signifi cant growth of production, while gradually rising the level of consumption, increased incomes of the population and at the same time household spending on goods and services. This created environmental pressures mainly through the consumption of electricity and other nonrenewable resources. Consumption patterns are evolving, however, are not suffi ciently effective in the context of the desired modifi cations are compatible with sustainable development.