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Toward Sustainable Consumption: Two New Perspectives

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Abstract

The article is an integrative, theoretical paper addressing the problem of sustainable consumption. It provides the insights of two conceptual frameworks on the conditions for and limits to sustainable consumption. Existing consumer research on environmental issues is reviewed. It is argued that consumer research is not focusing on the right issues in this area and that a trans-disciplinary approach is called for. Frameworks from materials balance economics and evolutionary theory are presented and applied to recreational consumption. Three major areas are identified in which consumer research could contribute to the presented frameworks, and to the theory and practice of sustainable consumption.

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  1. National Consumer Research Centre, P.O. Box 5, 00531, Helsinki, Finland

    Eva Heiskanen & Mika Pantzar

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  1. Eva Heiskanen
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Heiskanen, E., Pantzar, M. Toward Sustainable Consumption: Two New Perspectives. Journal of Consumer Policy 20, 409–442 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006862631698

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