Amidst all the talk about sustainability and circular economy, let's not forget the simple yet impactful practices rooted in our culture. Take, for instance, the age-old tradition of passing down clothes within families – a wonderful form of recycling we have cherished for generations. Unfortunately, with the rise of fast fashion, this eco-friendly habit has fallen by the wayside.
However, there is reason to be optimistic. The Government of India has launched the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative, offering a roadmap to greener living. It's more than just a list of suggestions; LiFE empowers us to protect our planet while still enjoying life. From cutting down on waste to conserving resources, LiFE equips us to make a positive impact on the environment. Let's delve deeper into the sustainable journey and vision of LiFE.
Where it All Began: The Inception of LiFE
Amidst growing environmental challenges, the Indian government took a bold step forward with the launch of the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative. Recognising the pivotal role of individual actions in addressing climate change and conserving our planet's resources, this initiative aims to inspire and empower citizens to adopt sustainable lifestyles.
The seeds of the LiFE initiative were planted during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021. It was here that Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India's ambitious vision of promoting mindful resource utilization through a mass movement centered on sustainability.
Focus Areas of LiFE:
The core objectives of LiFE revolve around two pivotal goals: encouraging individuals and communities to adopt lifestyles that resonate with nature, while also leveraging India's rich tradition of environmentally friendly practices. Notably, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights a striking statistic: if merely one out of every eight billion people worldwide were to embrace eco-friendly behaviours, global carbon emissions could plummet by up to 20 percent. This emphasizes the profound impact that individual actions can wield in combating climate change and safeguarding our planet's precious resources.
LiFE's Launch in India:
On June 5th, 2022 (World Environment Day), the Indian government officially inaugurated the LiFE initiative, marking a significant milestone in the nation's efforts to combat climate change. The launch kickstarted a nationwide movement aimed at transforming individual behaviours and promoting eco-friendly practices. While each phase naturally leads into the next phase of Mission LiFE, all phases are equally simultaneous in nature.
The mission is incubated, curated, and piloted by NITI Aayog and subsequently implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
LiFE's Core Categories:
Launched during India's 75th year of independence, Mission LiFE encompasses a comprehensive list of 75 individual LiFE actions across 7 categories:
- Reducing Waste
- Saving Water and Energy
- Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle
- Saying No to Single-use Plastic
- Adopting Sustainable Food Systems
Impressive Achievements:
In 2023, LiFE registered 2.7 million participants across 1,687,401 events.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a people-driven approach to climate action and announced a Green Credit Program (GCP) at COP28 in December 2023. Under this initiative, participants undertaking environmentally positive actions will receive tradable green credits. GCP is part of the LiFE mission, one of India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC as its climate action plan.
*(The policy on the Green Credit Program is under process, with tree plantation initiatives already in action. If you are someone undertaking tree plantation initiatives, you can register the same at https://www.moefcc-gcp.in/)
What Can We Do?
Now armed with ample information and resources on sustainable living, it's time to prioritize health and the environment. Begin by taking one action at a time. Choose from the 75 actions suggested in Mission LiFE or refer to our simplified version (Top 7 Areas Towards Smaller Footprint To Anywhere). Collective actions together can create a significant, better impact and a better world for us to live in. So let's get started.
