The journal reflects subtle egoistic tendencies among young Bahraini women. While their primary motivation for sustainable consumption is environmental concern, they also prioritize personal interests: participants like P_3 and P_38 stated they “would pay more for sustainable products but only within a reasonable limit,” linking their willingness to spend to financial affordability.

For SDG 12, egoism acts as a practical catalyst. Consumers’ pursuit of self-interest (e.g., saving money, staying healthy) boosts demand for affordable, sustainable products.

The journal’s core findings align closely with utilitarianism. Young Bahraini women’s key motivation is environmental concern: P_13 noted she “tries to reduce her carbon footprint and use eco-friendly bags,” while P_18 stopped using single-use plastic bottles to “combat ocean plastic pollution.” These actions, though individual, contribute to collective good—protecting ecosystems shared by all humans.

SDG 12’s ethical foundation is inherently utilitarian. Its focus on global sustainable consumption/production seeks to mitigate climate change impacts .(e.g., droughts, pollution)

The journal reveals strong alignment with Kantian Ethics among participants. They openly criticized brands like Zara and Nike for “faking sustainability while using child labor” (P_1), refusing to be exploited as profit tools.

For SDG 12, Kantian Ethics sets a moral standard. It compels businesses to abandon profit-only mindsets (e.g., avoiding greenwashing, pricing sustainable products fairly) and treat consumers/environment as ends in themselves.

Macro-significantly, local communities can adopt the journal’s “education + brand guidance” model (e.g., university sustainability curricula, P_97) to boost consumer awareness. Australia can learn from Bahrain’s efforts to balance affordability and sustainability (e.g., consumers’ “reasonable price limit” for green products, P_3) to promote domestic green product adoption. Globally, the study provides a regional case for SDG12, fostering shared strategies for nurturing consumer ethics across economies and advancing global sustainable consumption to address climate and resource crises.

Tsai, F.-M., Mohamed, A. F., Bui, T.-D., Sethanan, K., & Tseng, M.-L. (2025). Sustainable development goal 12 - responsible consumption and production challenges and opportunities in world regions: a data-driven analysis on circular economy practices. Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1080/21681015.2025.2532419