Why in News?
- A Pew Research Center survey (Jan–Apr 2025) covering nine middle-income countries found that Indians show the highest willingness globally to make lifestyle changes to counter climate change, with consistently high concern across age groups and strong faith in international climate action.
Relevance
- GS 3 – Environment & Climate Change
- Public participation in climate action; behavioural adaptation to environmental challenges; LiFE Mission.
- GS 2 – Governance / International Relations
- Role of public perception in policy success; global cooperation on sustainable development.
Survey Overview
- Countries surveyed: Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey.
- Objective: To gauge public perception of climate change, willingness for behavioural change, and trust in global action.
- Period: January 8 – April 21, 2025.
Key Findings for India
- Uniform Willingness Across Age Groups:
- Over 75% of Indians across all age groups (18–34, 35–49, 50+) were ready to make “a lot” or “some” lifestyle changes.
- Contrasts with other nations where older groups showed much lower willingness.
- Perception vs. Action Gap Narrow:
- Even among those who said their area isn’t affected by climate change, ~35% were willing to make major changes — 2nd highest globally.
- Indicates moral and preventive motivation, not just reactive concern.
- Optimism About Global Action:
- Over 70% of Indians believe international measures will significantly reduce climate impacts.
- Reflects trust in multilateral frameworks like UNFCCC, COP processes, and global technology transfer.
- Top Environmental Concerns (2025):
- Drought – Most cited (over 40%), though declining since 2015.
- Heatwaves – Rising sharply to 26%, showing growing awareness of temperature anomalies.
- Other concerns: erratic rainfall, flooding, crop losses.
Comparative Global Insights
- Other middle-income countries show age and perception divides:
- Older populations in Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa are less willing to alter habits.
- Those not directly affected by climate change are less motivated to act.
- India thus stands out for broad-based climate consciousness, across age, geography, and experience.
Reasons Behind India’s High Willingness
- Lived Experience of Climate Stress:
- Recurring droughts, erratic monsoons, and heatwaves make climate impacts visible.
- Cultural and Community Ethics:
- Traditions of “sustainable living” and “collective responsibility”.
- Media & Government Campaigns:
- Initiatives like LiFE Mission (Lifestyle for Environment), Swachh Bharat, and Mission Amrit Dharohar promoting behavioural change.
- Public Trust in Collective Solutions:
- India’s leadership role in ISA, COP30 commitments, and green tech diplomacy enhances faith in global cooperation.
Implications
- Policy Leverage:
- Strong domestic willingness can accelerate adoption of energy-efficient technologies, public transport, and renewables.
- Behavioural Economics Perspective:
- Public readiness opens pathways for incentive-driven environmental policies.
- Global Soft Power:
- India’s proactive citizen response enhances its credibility in global climate negotiations.
Concerns and Gaps
- Awareness ≠ Action: Translating intent into sustained behavioural change remains a challenge.
- Socioeconomic Divide: Willingness may not translate into practice among low-income groups due to cost barriers.
- Data Reliability: Self-reported willingness may not fully reflect ground-level behavioural adaptation.
Way Forward
- Policy Integration: Embed LiFE mission outcomes in education, urban planning, and industry codes.
- Behavioural Nudges: Use choice architecture — subsidies, rewards, carbon points — to sustain eco-friendly habits.
- Community-Based Adaptation: Strengthen local resilience projects (water harvesting, agroforestry).
- Public-Private Collaboration: Scale up citizen-led sustainability initiatives.
Significance
- Demonstrates India’s citizen-level climate consciousness, crucial for meeting Net Zero 2070 targets.
- Shows that climate action is becoming democratised — beyond government policy to everyday life.
- Reinforces India’s moral leadership in climate negotiations — linking personal responsibility to planetary outcomes.
