The report acknowledges that many studies point to the fact that major lifestyle and consumption shifts – and ultimately probably reduced consumption – will be needed to achieve significant reductions in environmental pressures and greenhouse gas emissions both in Europe and globally. It concludes that neither environmental policies nor economic and technology-driven efficiency gains alone are likely to be sufficient to overcome effects of increased consumption and production in the long run, due to the combined effects of population and economic growth . Efficiency improvements need to be combined with shifting consumption towards more circular and sustainable alternatives, including sufficiency approaches.

This report can offer cities and regions new insights when deploying CSSs regarding consumption in the sectors including services (health, education, financial, recreation), housing, food, energy, mobiliy, textile. These insights include perspectives other than the current mainstream focus on increased efficiency and recycling. As such, all actors can benefit from the content of this resource when 'Analysing the metabolism of the territory and potential stakeholders', 'Engaging key stakeholders', ' Identifying intervention areas and building a CSS case', 'Defining targets' as well as 'Monitoring, evaluating and adapting their CSS'.