India’s government once championed an initiative to promote climate-friendly lifestyle choices, but it failed to get a mention in the latest budget announcement. The Lifestyle for Environment Initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior ministers, aimed to reduce emissions by cutting electricity use and skipping private car journeys.
However, the program has fallen out of favor, and its dedicated website hasn’t seen an update since March 2024. Experts say that making large-scale changes in people’s daily lives is difficult without financial incentives. Small business owners, like those in India’s plastic packaging industry, are often more concerned with staying competitive than reducing their environmental impact.
Despite this, some entrepreneurs, such as Sunil Mysore and Prasad Gawade, have found ways to make sustainable choices a part of their lifestyle. They attribute their success to personal motivation and a desire for a better life.
The lack of infrastructure changes, such as electric trams or trains, has also hindered the program’s progress. Experts argue that drastic infrastructure changes are needed to make climate-friendly habits more convenient. Instead, energy efficiency initiatives could be a solution, but funding for these schemes is not forthcoming.
India’s environment ministry did not respond to comments about the initiative. The federal budget allotted no additional funds for energy conservation schemes or regulatory bodies tasked with improving energy systems.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-behavior-india-sustainability-efficiency-ec1700fb6eea9b730c63b4394b627623