Context
The first truly global energy crisis has begun in 2022, with erratic markets and sudden price increases posing challenges for individuals, organisations, and governments. India has been less affected by the crisis than many other nations, but it has nonetheless been impacted.
Relevance
GS Paper-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Mains Question
LiFE shouldn’t be restricted to India and emerging markets, by any means. Its lessons are transferable to all countries and may have the biggest impact in developed economies. Take a close look at the assertion. (250 Words)
Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)
- India’s new Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative is a significant platform that could aid in reducing energy costs, carbon dioxide emissions, air pollution, and disparities in energy consumption.
- By promoting sustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns around the world, LiFE shows India’s leadership on international issues and has the potential to move both developing and advanced economies toward more sustainable economic practises.
- The programme was introduced in October 2022 to encourage both individual and group environmental protection efforts.
- This includes making wise personal decisions, such as increasing the use of public transportation, purchasing electric vehicles rather than gasoline or diesel ones, implementing energy-efficient appliances in homes, and many other things.
- India’s initiative is effective because it combines personal responsibility with governmental action.
- Criticism: Although LiFE’s core objective is to use energy more efficiently, the programme doesn’t eliminate the need for strong policies to hasten the adoption of clean energy technologies like solar, wind, and hydrogen.
G20 Group of Countries
- The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental organisation that brings together the major industrialised and developing nations of the world.
- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States are among the 19 nations that make up the G20.
- For the summit in 2023, India has invited Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the UAE as guests.
- The G20 is the most important forum for global economic cooperation because it represents two-thirds of the world’s population, 75% of the world’s trade, and about 85% of the world’s GDP.
- Major global economic issues like international financial stability, climate change, and sustainable development are also addressed.
IEA (International Energy Agency) Analysis:
- According to new IEA analysis, if all nations adopted the kinds of policies advised by LiFE, global carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by more than 2 billion tonnes by 2030.
- This would be sufficient to reduce emissions by about one-fifth of what is required for the world to reach net zero emissions this decade.
- Additionally, the measures would reduce annual energy costs for consumers worldwide by $440 billion.
- According to the IEA’s analysis, as people work to raise their standard of living, the demand for energy in developing economies will continue to rise.
- Evidence suggests that the global energy crisis is reviving interest in energy efficiency and behaviour change, particularly in advanced economies that have been severely impacted.
- For instance, in response to the crisis, the European Union set a goal to cut its natural gas consumption by 15%.
- With the gas demand in buildings declining by about 17% in 2022 despite an expanding economy, it ultimately exceeded expectations.
- Even though the situation is extreme, it demonstrates that consumers are willing to accept responsibility for the energy they use in the interest of the greater good.
Agni Tattva campaign:
- The Ministry of Power recently unveiled Agni Tattva under LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment.
- The purpose is to raise awareness of the central idea of Agni Tattva, one of the five elements of Panchmahabhoot and a symbol of energy.
Way Forward
- The way forward is to tackle the environmental issues facing the world while ensuring that everyone has access to reliable and affordable energy.
- More Traditional Policies: The recommendations from LiFE can be an excellent addition to more conventional policies.
- For example, by adopting strategies that use energy and other resources more effectively, hard-to-decarbonize industries like steel and cement can learn from LiFE.
- Increasing the amount of recycled steel can cut down on the need to decarbonize steel production.
- Offer the necessary resources, incentives, or information.
- We all need to choose wisely when it comes to sustainability and the environment, but frequently these decisions are not supported by the right infrastructure, incentives, or information.
- For instance, public transportation needs to be more effective and accessible in many cities to persuade people to leave their cars at home.
- Urban planning needs to be improved so people can live closer to their places of employment and to conveniences that shorten commute times and promote walking and bicycling.
- Policies are crucial in this situation because they actively provide alternatives, enabling sustainable choices. A good example is India’s Ujala scheme, which offers ultra-affordable LED bulbs.
Conclusion:
- LiFE’s lessons are applicable globally and could have the biggest impact in advanced economies, so it is clear that it shouldn’t be viewed as only being relevant to India and developing economies.
- The G20 Presidency of India presents a special opportunity to expand the LiFE initiative globally by giving other top economies a forum for exchanging knowledge and realising the potential of LiFE’s recommendations in the fight against climate change, air pollution, and prohibitively high energy costs.
- Since the G20 accounts for almost 80% of the world’s energy demand, significant changes made by its members can have a significant impact.
