According to the Bruntland's report, Sustainable development "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". The family dimension has its place in sustainable consumption. In fact the intergenerational aspect presented by this definition corresponds with the relation between parents and children. Giving children the opportunity to live in a healthy and fair world is the essential objective here.
Family as a group formed by very strong ties is an entity that develops strong solidarity relations. "The concern for others" is here more emphasized than in other relations. This is what sustainable consumption should refer to in order to be propagated. Family is also the place of socialisation. Individuals receive here the first forms of education, which is an extension of school education. Family organizations should encourage the promotion of environmental values as an integral part of education within the families. The environmental culture is the fundamental principle of sustainable development and the family is the privileged unit where this form of culture can develop and disseminate.
During recent years COFACE published four booklets informing families on sustainable consumption. One of them was devoted to the promotion of European Eco-label and the three others to sustainable consumption in the household. COFACE wishes to continue its mission concentrating on following objectives:
Sensitize European families on energy and water saving;
Support waste sorting by all family members;
Encourage families to buy durable goods.
