PLANET Earth is not big enough to sustain the current lifestyle of people in Wales, according to a damning new report.

If everyone in the world lived like consumers in Wales, we would need nearly three planets to sustain ourselves.

The report, issued jointly by the Welsh Consumer Council, WWF Cymru and Cynnal Cymru - the Sustainable Development Forum for Wales, concludes that while many people in Wales are sympathetic to the needs of the environment, there are numerous hurdles in place to stop them translating that support into positive action.

Looked at in another way, while Welsh people on average need 5.25 hectares of land to supply all the resources we use and all the waste we produce, the global average is 1.8 hectares. Americans need 9.6 hectares - almost 10 times the area required by Bangladeshis.

Such figures make depressing reading, especially given the National Assembly's status as one of the only legislative bodies in the world with a constitutional commitment to sustainable development.

The fact is, says the report, that eco-friendly and fair trade products are beyond the budget of many Welsh households. Instead of hand- wringing, the authors call on the National Assembly to take a range of practical measures to improve matters:

Providing every household in Wales with a kerbside collection scheme for recyclable waste

Offsetting the amount of climate-changing carbon dioxide produced in Wales each year, by planting trees in Wales to encourage consumers to buy green.

Promoting more sustainable transport options.

Helping people to buy solar panels by offering grants or interest-free loans.

Conducting public information campaigns on sustainable development, climate change and so on.

Setting a good example by ensuring the Assembly's own consumption levels are sustainable.

The report says, "We need to gain a more in-depth understanding of the consumer perspective and the factors that would be most effective at influencing consumer behaviour. Current research suggests that consumers are generally happy to do their bit towards sustainable consumption, but convenience and economy in pressured daily lives takes precedence.

"They often feel powerless to improve their circumstances and often lack the income to invest in more sustainable goods and services. Their reactions to policy measures are difficult to predict, and their reactions to environmental messages are mixed, often wary, and sometimes incredulous."

The report quotes from the Commons Select Committee on Environmental Audit's own report, which says, "At present a consumer-led lifestyle is widely considered to be normal. Voluntarily denying oneself wanted goods and services and reducing personal choice is often seen as abnormal, irrational and old fashioned."

Vivienne Sugar, chair of the Welsh Consumer Council, said, "The feedback we get from consumers is that they are generally happy to do their bit, but in pressured daily lives other concerns often take precedence. There is a lot the Assembly can do to make it easier for people, and when it publishes its new Sustainable Development Scheme in the spring we are looking forward to seeing what new actions will be taken."

Jennie Bibbings, co-author of the report, said, "This is one of the most pressing challenges facing the developed world today. Consumption levels are higher than ever, and we have to find a way to meet everybody's needs while respecting the limits of the Earth's ecosystems and lessening the vast imbalances that exist between countries."

THE joint report is a submission to the Welsh Assembly Government's consultation exercise for a revised Sustainable Development Scheme and Action Plan. Yesterday was the deadline for submissions.

In its own document, the Assembly Government defines its vision for a future Wales as a place where:

n the environment is cherished and protected so that it remains healthy and biologically diverse, and can continue to support us all;

n a self-sustaining economy which respects the environ-mental and social context of Wales and responds to sustainable development opportunities;

n action takes place to make our communities strong and viable, and people healthier;

n people are enabled to play a part in taking decisions that affect them;

n the needs of all parts of Wales are recognised;

n Wales contributes to sustainable development at a global as well as a local level.