The Editorial 20 Oct, 2022 - A new lease of LIFE for climate action

Theme :Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, EIA

Paper : GS - 3

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Context
2. LIFE, A Fresh Perspective
3. What can be done to fulfill the vision?
4. Nudging for Behavioral Change
5. Responsibility of the Developed World
6. India to be a Torch Bearer

Context : For the first time since it began over 30 years ago, the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report (HDR) has warned that global human development measures have declined across most countries in the past two years.

LIFE, A Fresh Perspective : 

• LiFE: “LiFE – Lifestyle for the Environment”, PM Modi had proposed the one-word mass movement “LIFE” at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at Glasgow last November.
• A theme for COP27: “LiFE”, a global initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be the theme of the India pavilion at the upcoming COP27 at Sharm-El-Sheik in Egypt.
• LiFE Movement: Subsequently, PM Modi launched ‘Lifestyle for the Environment – LIFE Movement’ on 5 June on the occasion of world environment day.
• What is the vision of LiFE: The vision of ‘LiFE’ is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it. The people who live such a lifestyle can be called “Pro-Planet people.”
• Objective of LiFE: The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilization’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption’.
• Aim of LiFE: The LiFE Movement aims to utilize the power of collective action and nudge individuals across the world to undertake simple climate-friendly actions in their daily lives. The LiFE movement, additionally, also seeks to leverage the strength of social networks to influence social norms surrounding climate.
• Creating Pro-planet people: The Mission plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3), who will have a shared commitment to adopt and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles.
• Seeks to behavioral change and individual actions: Through the P3 community, the Mission seeks to create an ecosystem that will reinforce and enable environmentally friendly behaviors to be self-sustainable. LIFE recognizes that small individual actions can tip the balance in the planet’s favor.
• Mission liFE for India: Mission LiFE borrows from the past, operates in the present and focuses on the future. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts woven into our life. The Circular Economy has been an integral part of our culture and lifestyle.

What can be done to fulfill the vision?

• Cultivating the attitude of individual responsibility starting from the home: Mindful choices cultivated by LIFE animate this spirit actions such as saving energy at home; cycling and using public transport instead of driving; eating more plant-based foods and wasting less; and leveraging our position as customers and employees to demand climate-friendly choices.
• Applying the nudging techniques to encourage positive behavior: Many of the goals of LIFE can be achieved by deploying ‘nudges’, gentle persuasion techniques to encourage positive behavior. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) employs proven nudging techniques such as discouraging food waste by offering smaller plates in cafeterias; encouraging recycling by making bin lids eye-catching; and encouraging cycling by creating cycle paths.
• Adopting greener consumption habits: According to the UNEP, more than two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to household consumption and lifestyles. The urgent cuts to global emissions we need can only be achieved through widespread adoption of greener consumption habits.

Nudging for Behavioral Change :

• Nudge theory is a concept in behavioral economics, decision making, behavioral policy, social psychology, consumer behavior, and related behavioral sciences that proposes adaptive designs of the decision environment as ways to influence the behavior and decision-making of groups or individuals.

• Many of the goals of LIFE can be achieved by deploying ‘nudges’, gentle persuasion techniques to encourage positive behavior. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) employs proven nudging techniques such as :

1. discouraging food waste by offering smaller plates in cafeterias
2. encouraging recycling by making bin lids eye-catching;
3. encouraging cycling by creating cycle paths.

• According to the UNEP, more than two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to household consumption and lifestyles — the urgent cuts to global emissions we need can only be achieved through widespread adoption of greener consumption habits.

• And while LIFE is a global vision, India is an excellent place to start. With over 1.3 billion people, if we achieve a true jan andolan here, the momentum generated will be enormous.

Responsibility of the Developed World :

• At UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations on climate action, the principles of Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), Loss & Damage, Polluter Pays and Concept of intergenerational equity are different ways in which climate justice is demanded.
• LIFE resonates with the global climate justice India has rightfully called for — highlighting enhanced obligations those in developed countries bear, to support climate adaptation and mitigation for those most affected, yet least responsible. The average carbon footprint of a person in a high income country is more than 80 times higher than that of a person in a least developed country.

India to be a Torch Bearer : 

• India’s proven track record of mass movements: India has a proven track record translating the aspirations of national missions into whole-of-society efforts. The success of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which mobilized individuals and communities across socio-economic strata to become drivers of collective good health and sanitation is an example.
• Historical wisdom: “Vasudhaiva kutumbakam” which means the world is one family, India insists on this philosophy. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “the world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” 
• Indi’s leadership on climate action at the international stage: From the Panchamrit targets announced by Mr. Modi at COP26, to support for the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and South-South cooperation platforms, from the world’s fifth largest economy with vibrant businesses making enormous investments in renewables and electric mobility, to a world class public digital tech stack, India brings scale, expertise and legitimacy; a well-positioned founding UN Member State bridging the G20 and G77.
• India’s COP pavilions setting up an example: India has been setting up its pavilions at COPs since 2015 to showcase its achievements in climate actions. Several think tanks, civil society organizations, industry bodies and the private sector organize side events at the India pavilion.

FAQs:

1. What is LIFE ?

Answer : “LIFE – Lifestyle for the Environment”, PM Modi had proposed the one-word mass movement “LIFE” at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at Glasgow last November.

2. What is Nudge Theory?

Answer : Nudge theory is a concept in behavioral economics, decision making, behavioral policy, social psychology, consumer behavior, and related behavioral sciences that proposes adaptive designs of the decision environment as ways to influence the behavior and decision-making of groups or individuals.