Planned obsolescence is a common practice in product design; for example, in the computer industry. From a business point of view, it makes sense to deliberately shorten the life cycle of a product - think of your smartphone - to stimulate consumption. From a sustainability perspective, such a business strategy is obscene and should be banned. This book provides the wider conceptual, ethical and legal framework of sustainable development so that the reader can fully appreciate the wastefulness of planned obsolescence. It makes invaluable reading for consumers, environmental lawyers, regulators and everyone concerned with a sustainable future and what the law can do about it.
Professor Klaus Bosselmann, The University of Auckland