ABSTRACT
Furthermore, I argue that the IPP indeed differs from previous policy-making initiatives, which can best be described with reference to its vision and approach. Also, the novelty of the IPP results from its potentially more significant impact on sustainable production and consumption, compared to similar policies adopted by various countries. Its scope (EU and European Economic Area countries) and ambitious objectives (‘to support sustainable development by reducing the negative environmental impacts of products throughout their lifecycle’ (European Commission 2003d: 1)) can have a large impact on how products are manufactured, consumed and disposed of on a worldwide basis. Also, it could reduce environmental impacts related to those products by adjusting their prices, to include external costs that are currently neglected. These will be dealt with more specifically in the following chapters, where a more normative analysis will be performed with regards to what the IPP should actually include in order to conform with the theoretical background of ecological economics and industrial ecology.
