A new lease of LIFE for climate action

Source– The post is based on the article “A new lease of LIFE for climate action” published in The Hindu on 20th October 2022.

Syllabus: GS3- Environmental pollution and degradation

Relevance– Climate change

News- The article explains the Lifestyle for Environment perspective announced by PM Modi at CoP26

What is happening across the world?

World is facing multiple crises.

COVID-19 has been a great disruptor. The Ukraine war has further led to an energy and food crisis.

Planet is facing an existential crisis in the form of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Ninth of warmest year has been recorded in the past decade. Extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts are increasing.

The UNDP HDI report has warned that global human development measures have declined across most countries in the past two years.

Commitments by countries at Paris will not keep warming below the 1.5°C target.

What is the Lifestyle for Environment perspective announced by PM Modi at CoP26?

It relies upon small individual actions to fight climate change. Some of these actions are saving

energy at home; cycling and using public transport; eating more plant-based foods and wasting less. It also leverages our position as customers and employees to demand climate-friendly choices.

Along with individual actions; we need guiding frameworks, information sharing and the scale of a global movement.

Many of its goals can be achieved by persuasion techniques that encourage positive behaviour like discouraging food wastage by offering small plates.

According to the UNEP, more than two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to household consumption and lifestyles.

The LIFE mission also recognises that accountability is relative to contribution. Collective emissions by the poorest 50% are less than 1% of wealthiest people. The most vulnerable and marginalised members of society will not be asked to consume less. They will be supported to participate in the green economy.

What is the case for India’s leadership on climate change?

India has a proven track record of achieving national goals through collective actions. Swachh Bharat Mission mobilised individuals and communities for public health and sanitation. If we start jan andolan with participation of 1.3 billion people, it will generate enormous momentum.

India is well positioned to provide leadership on climate change. It has shown its willingness through Panchamrit targets announced by Mr. Modi at COP26, support for the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and South-South cooperation platforms.

It also resonates with global climate justice calls by India. Global climate justice puts obligations on developed countries to support climate adaptation and mitigation. 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. It is common sense and fair to call on the developed world to shoulder a proportionate share of this transition.