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Needs, wants and values in China: reducing physical wants for sustainable consumption

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  • Boqian Yan
  • Joachim H. Spangenberg

Abstract

China is simultaneously the world's biggest polluter, largest victim of pollution, and most ferocious fighter against pollution. So the question is: How can pollution be reduced to pave the way for the ecological civilisation of the future moderately affluent Chinese society? For China to play a leading role in escaping the global environmental crisis, for the benefit of its own population and the rest of the world, technological improvements and the greening of the economy, important as they are, will not suffice. More is needed in terms of limiting resource consumption, namely a reorientation from economic growth towards sustainable consumption and sufficiency. Improving efficiencies on all levels by technological and social innovations is a condition for this, as is a change of consumer aspirations from more to better, towards sufficiency and a good life. Chinese philosophical traditions and values offer anchoring points for such a green enlightenment.

Suggested Citation

  • Boqian Yan & Joachim H. Spangenberg, 2018. "Needs, wants and values in China: reducing physical wants for sustainable consumption," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(6), pages 772-780, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:26:y:2018:i:6:p:772-780
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.1847
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    Cited by:

    1. Nanjangud Vishwanath Vighnesh & Patil Balachandra & Deepak Chandrashekar & Sukanlaya Sawang, 2023. "How cultural values influence sustainable consumption behavior? An empirical investigation in a non‐Western context," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(2), pages 990-1007, April.
    2. Jungell-Michelsson, Jessica & Heikkurinen, Pasi, 2022. "Sufficiency: A systematic literature review," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    3. Ualison Rébula de Oliveira & Thaís Stiegert Meireles Gomes & Geovani Gabizo de Oliveira & Júlio Cesar Andrade de Abreu & Murilo Alvarenga Oliveira & Aldara da Silva César & Vicente Aprigliano Fernande, 2022. "Systematic Literature Review on Sustainable Consumption from the Perspective of Companies, People and Public Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-26, October.
    4. Xiaozhi Xiang & Li Peng & Yaxian Zhang, 2023. "Towards more sustainable diets: Insights from food production responses to diet transitions in China," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(3), pages 1951-1964, June.

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