Context

The Prime Minister has called for people’s participation and collective efforts in combating climate change at a World Bank event.
A Global call for Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was given by PM Modi, at CoP26, held at Glasgow in October-November, 2021.
Subsequently, Mission LiFE was launched by PM Modi on 20 October 2022.

What is Mission LiFE?

PM Modi introduced the concept of Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) at UNFCCC-COP26 in 2021.
Mission LiFE is an international mass movement aimed at protecting and preserving the environment.
It envisions a shift from a ‘use-and-dispose’ economy to a circular economy, which promotes mindful and deliberate utilization.

Emphasize Individual Behaviours: Make Life a Jan Andolan (mass movement) by targeting the attitudes and behaviours of individuals and communities.
Global Co-creation: Utilize the expertise of the world’s leading universities, think tanks, and international organizations to crowdsource empirical and scalable ideas.
Harness Local Cultures: Utilize climate-friendly social norms, beliefs, and daily household practices of different cultures worldwide to drive the campaign.

LiFE aims to utilize the power of social networks to influence climate-related social norms.
To achieve this, the Mission plans to establish and foster a global network of individuals called ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3).
The Mission aims to encourage people to undertake simple daily actions that can significantly contribute to addressing climate change.
P3 members will have a shared commitment to adopting and promoting environmentally friendly lifestyles.
Through the P3 community, the Mission intends to establish an ecosystem that enables and reinforces sustainable environmentally friendly behaviours.

Efforts Refinement: It will aid in converging with measures such as the establishment of solar power plants, installation of solar panels on canals, and water conservation in drought-prone areas.
Disaster Management: It will facilitate efforts to combat environmental disasters and set global trends for sustainable development.
Global Initiative: It serves as India’s global initiative to combat climate change and promote sustainable living to achieve the UN sustainable development goals by 2030.
Pro Planet People: It embodies the P3 model’s spirit, promoting a ‘Lifestyle of the planet, for the planet, and by the planet’.
India-UN Partnership: Both entities have joined forces in this new initiative that is expected to be a global success.
Nature Harmony: It encompasses every lifestyle adopted by our ancestors related to nature and environment conservation, which has become part of our present-day lifestyle.
Climate Change Battle: Combating climate change goes beyond policy-making and requires wider support from individuals, families, and communities to protect the earth and humanity against climate-related disasters and extreme weather events.
Circular Economy: The mission promotes the adoption of the ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’ concept, which helps strike a balance between development, economic growth, and sustainability.
Net Zero Target: It aids India and many other countries in achieving their net zero carbon footprint goals.

International Solar Alliance: India, along with France, launched the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2015, aimed at promoting the use of solar energy worldwide.
National Clean Energy Fund: The Government of India established the NCEF to promote research, development, and deployment of clean energy technologies.
National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change: The NAFCC was set up to support climate adaptation efforts in India, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, water, and forestry.
National Action Plan on Climate Change: The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) outlines India’s strategy to combat climate change, with specific goals for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture.
National Solar Mission: The National Solar Mission aims to achieve 100 GW of solar energy capacity by 2022, making India a global leader in solar energy.
Ujjwala Yojana: The scheme aims to provide free LPG connections to below-poverty-line households, reducing the use of traditional fuels like wood and charcoal, which contribute to indoor air pollution and carbon emissions.
Smart Cities Mission: It aims to promote sustainable urban development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of technology and innovation in cities.

Collaboration: LiFE should work with civil society, government, private sector, academia, and international organizations for effective strategy implementation.
Communication: Effective communication is crucial for making LiFE a mass movement. The campaign should leverage social media, community radio, and other tools to spread awareness.
Behaviour Change: LiFE should promote behaviour change by providing information, incentives, and tools for sustainable lifestyles.
Innovation: LiFE should support innovations like green technologies, circular economy models, and sustainable agriculture practices.
Capacity Building: Capacity building is essential for creating a self-sustaining ecosystem of sustainable behaviours. LiFE should focus on building the capacity of individuals, communities, and organizations.
Monitoring and Evaluation: LiFE should regularly monitor and evaluate the impact of its strategies. It should collect data on the adoption of sustainable practices, carbon emissions reduction, and improvement in the quality of life.
Global Cooperation: LiFE should encourage global cooperation to address climate change. It should collaborate with other countries, international organizations, and initiatives to work towards global sustainable development goals.