Changing consumption and production patterns is one of the overarching objectives of sustainable development, as recognised by the Heads of State and Governments in the Johannesburg Declaration (2002). Reflecting this focus, the renewed European Sustainable Development Strategy identifies Sustainable Consumption and Production as one of the key challenges to be addressed in the context of the EU's long-standing commitment to sustainable development. The strategy called for the European Commission to propose an EU SCP Action Plan in order to identify and overcome barriers to SCP, ensure better coherence between the different related policy areas, raise awareness among citizens and change unsustainable consumption patterns.