Different Life Phases and the Limits of Consumption

Efforts to limit individual consumption to adapt to climate change are regularly subject to controversial debates in politics and society. An approach in inter- and transdisciplinary research that addresses the issue of limiting consumption is the concept of “consumption corridors”. Consumption corridors are defined by minimum standards of consumption that facilitate a decent life for all, and by maximum standards of individual resource consumption that enable other generations, living now or in the future, to have adequate access to natural and socio-cultural resources. In this paper, we examine the opportunities and challenges of limits on individual consumption by comparing different life phases. It is argued that minimal standards of consumption may change over the course of life. In addition, life stages are heterogeneous in themselves, and different living conditions must be considered depending on socio-economic and infrastructural contexts. Findings to date suggest that young people and older people are particularly open to sustainable and resource-conserving lifestyles and related everyday practices. This needs to be compared to the more limited space for action during adulthood, which is often the preferred target of consumption research, policy, and practice.