An inquiry into the impact of globalization on the potential for 'sustainable consumption' in households

This paper aims to determine whether and how globalization affects the sustainability of household consumption in industrialized countries. Our focus of inquiry arises from the existence of a tremendous gap between references to the influence of globalization on sustainable consumption in political and academic discussions on the one side and empirical evidence on the reality and strength of such an influence on the other. In order to prepare the ground for filling this gap, our paper inquires into the possibilities of a respective empirical study. Our specific focus of inquiry is on the three consumption clusters food, mobility, and energy.