A report by IEA(International Energy Agency) on LiFE lessons from India
The benefits of advancing the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative through the G20.
- The Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi of India at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021. It aims to encourage the adoption
of sustainable lifestyles in India and internationally to tackle the challenges of
environmental degradation and climate change. - India has integrated several policies in its energy transition strategy that are aligned with
LiFE. - India’s economy is already 10% more energy efficient than both the global and G20
average. India took less time to go from half to full electricity access than other major
economies. - Already the third largest national market globally for renewables, India has recently seen
the growth of consumer-centric solutions like distributed solar PV take off, with rooftop
solar growing 30-fold in less than a decade. Supportive policies and awareness campaigns
in India have also driven electric passenger vehicles to a market share of almost 5% in
2022 – with sales tripling from 2021. - India’s example shows the importance of behavioural change and consumption choices in
driving energy transitions. The IEA has analysed the impact of measures like those
proposed by the LiFE initiative, such as buying an EV or taking public transport, as part of
comprehensive energy transition strategies. - According to the IEA’s modelling, the adoption worldwide of the kinds of actions and
measures targeted by LiFE – including behavioural changes and sustainable consumer
choices – would reduce annual global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than
2 billion tonnes (Gt) in 2030. - This is about one-fifth of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to put the world on a
pathway to net zero emissions. - We estimate that around 60% of the emissions saving by LiFE measures could be directly
influenced or mandated by governments. How individuals behave and choose to consume
is shaped by the norms, policies, incentives and infrastructure around them. - Thus, although the measures envisaged in LiFE are carried out by individuals, there is a
clear role for governments to simultaneously provide a supportive policy framework. - LiFE measures would also save consumers globally around USD 440 billion in 2030,
according to the IEA’s modelling, equivalent to around 5% of all spending on fuels across
the global economy that year. - LiFE measures also help lower inequalities in energy consumption and emissions between
countries. The reductions in per capita CO2 emissions in advanced economies by 2030
(relative to a ‘business-as-usual’ trajectory) are three- to four-times greater than in
emerging market and developing economies. - India’s first G20 Presidency could strengthen the LiFE initiative by anchoring it in the G20’s
current framing of energy transitions and initiating processes to gather experience and best
practices of policies and programmes that G20 members are already conducting.
LiFElessonsfromIndia.pdf (2.7 MB)
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