Sustainable Consumerism 6.0: Integrating Human Values, Technology, and Regenerative Mindsets

Abstract

The paradigm of Sustainable Consumerism 6.0 is the new way of reacting to the growing environmental pressure, the digitalization of the world, and the alteration of human values. The current chapter defines Sustainable Consumerism 6.0 as a socio-technical ecosystem comprising ethical intelligence, digital stewardship, regenerative mindsets, and conscious consumption. This paradigm, which leaves materialism and digital convenience or experiential sustainability models behind, is founded on the idea of consumers as active co-regenerators who engage in ethical production, open value chains, and closed economic systems. This chapter is based on the literature synthesis of the existing research on sustainability studies, behavioral economics, ecological psychology, and digital innovation (2020–2025) and explores how artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, and green fintech redefine the consumption practices. This conceptual framework proposes five interconnected dimensions (Ethical Intelligence, Digital Stewardship, Regenerative Design, Conscious Consumption, and Value Co-creation) that can be used to redefine the relationship between people, technology, and the planet. The results underline that Sustainable Consumerism 6.0 not only promotes environmentally responsible behavior but also inculcates moral, emotional, and technological awareness into consumption decisions. This chapter offers strategic implications to corporations, policymakers, and educators, recommending the measures of adopting ethical AI, open digital infrastructure, and human-centered innovation systems. In general, the work contributes to the field of sustainability by introducing a model that is comprehensive, prospective, and combines human values, digital ecosystems and regenerative economic principles to create a more sustainable future.