A full reappraisal

Europeans reflect on their consumption and how it will evolve on a daily basis. This self-examination leads them to reappraise their current behaviours and to think about consuming less or differently. However, in their eyes there is still a long way to go for them to live more virtuously and embrace truly sustainable consumption. The consumption of tomorrow will no doubt place an even greater emphasis on services and non-material purchases. Indeed, these have already started to have a deep and lasting impact on the consumer landscape.

THE OPTION OF SPENDING LESS

Despite Europeans believing that consumption is on the up and that it is synonymous with enjoyment, frugality is also firmly on their agenda. The vast majority – almost 9 out of 10 – would consider consuming less, with half of those questioned remaining focused on preserving their quality of life nonetheless (Fig. 21).

Those on high incomes find it easier to envisage this possibility. It is undoubtedly less of a stretch for people to declare their desire to consume less when they have the means to do so and when they already have everything they need and even what could be considered superfluous.

Younger people also share this viewpoint, but for different reasons. Their attitude is shaped more by the idea that our species is consuming too much and jeopardising its own future.

Once again, Spain and Romania show the greatest enthusiasm for reducing consumption. Conversely, the desire to consume less is weakest in Portugal and France.

THE IDEA OF A DIFFERENT FORM OF CONSUMPTION

While consuming less is central to the whole debate, consuming differently is just as important. Europeans appear quite receptive to the idea. Three-quarters of them agree with the premise, although a thin majority are keen for it not to negatively affect their quality of life (Fig. 22).

If we look at the results for each income category, age group and country, we can observe the same differences as those highlighted above. There is one exception, with the Belgians this time joining the Portuguese in being the most reluctant to consider consuming differently, rather than the French.