The environmental consequences of unsustainable lifestyles and patterns of production and consumption are now widely acknowledged. Further, vulnerability to climate change, Green House Gases (GHG) emissions and the capacity for adaptation and mitigation are strongly influenced by livelihoods, lifestyles, behaviour and culture. Emissions can be substantially lowered through changes in consumption patterns, adoption of energy saving measures, dietary change and reduction in food wastes. In India, traditional practices that are sustainable and environment friendly continue to be a part of people's lives. India has a history of low carbon footprint and lifestyle. These need to be encouraged, rather than replaced by more modern but unsustainable practices and technologies. Habits and Culture in India People have a general inclination towards need-based consumption and an ingrained sense of responsibility which resists wasteful consumption and propagates respect for life. It is estimated that 70 per cent of people live in rural areas. Communities close to nature follow a frugal lifestyle which is not based on high consumption. Many of the skills still practised in India are passed on from one generation to the next in a master-to-disciple tradition. To fulfil their basic needs, people are dependent not on highenergy-based products, but on organic farming, skilled labour and individual craftsmanship. Most daily use products are hand-made and made from locally available materials. This decreases dependence on electricity and other sources of power. For example, handlooms are preferred to power-loom, and Khadi or homespun fabric is popular among large number of Indians across class, gender or generations. Recognising the sacredness of nature and its ecosystem, people maintain their houses of worship such as temples, gurudwaras, churches and mosques with surrounding areas including bathing ghats, gardens, ponds and sacred groves. The Indian conception of life is embodied in a coherent world-view in which all its aspects exist in a state of inter-related harmony, being governed by a universal order that is reflected in all realms of human experience. The human being is part of a well-ordered system in which all aspects of life and nature have their place, and are not in opposition, but in harmony with each other. This harmony between humans and nature is integral to the Indian tradition and ethos. Food and Agriculture Reduced food wastage Food production, processing, marketing, consumption and disposal have important environmental externalities because of energy and natural resource usage and associated GHG emissions. The global volume of food wastage is estimated at 1.6 gigatonnes (Gt) of ‘primary product equivalents’, while the total wastage for the edible part of food is 1.3Gt. The global carbon footprint of food wastage, excluding land use change, has been estimated at 3.3GtCO2 equivalent (FAO, 2013). Upstream wastage volumes, including production, post-harvest handling and storage, represent 54 per cent of total wastage, while downstream wastage volumes, including processing, distribution and consumption, are 46 per cent. In general, greater focus is required on reducing post-harvest losses early in the supply chain. However, food waste at the consumer level is limited. General aversion to food wastage and respect for food are deeply ingrained in Indian psyche. Children in Indian homes are taught about respect for food at a young age. Consumption of local food Food transportation is one of the biggest and fastest-growing sources of GHG emissions worldwide. The decreasing share of locally produced goods, in particular locally grown foods, is an important lifestyle choice affecting resource consumption. In India, locally grown food (vegetables and fruits) sourced from nearby rural areas is readily available in local markets, thereby reducing transportation and packaging requirements. Fresh food is preferred over processed, packaged and artificially preserved food. Diverse food habits exist in different parts of the country specific to local climate and availability of resources. Natural food preservation techniques such as sun drying, salt application in pickles, and grain storage in indigenous structures using natural disinfectants and biopesticides such as Neem (Azadirachta indica) are commonly practised. Transportation In India, pedal rickshaws, bicycles and walking are often preferred for short distance travel. Non Motorised Transport (NMT) dominates the modal share of Indian cities. Even in mega cities, with a population of over eight million, the modal share of NMT ranges from 40–50 per cent (walking and bicycling). This is attributed to the dense mixed land use patterns in Indian cities, resulting in shorter trip lengths and availability of NMT as the only accessible mode of transport for low-income households. To achieve the sustainability goals of the transport sector, it is necessary to promote the use of NMT. Globally, transport accounts for approximately 23 per cent of total energyrelated CO2 emissions, with road transport itself accounting for 17-18 per cent. In urban areas, mobility is rapidly becoming one of the greatest challenges due to increasing number of passenger cars. It is also recognised that compact urban form combined with public transport are central to achieving a low-carbon pathway. Energy and Water Simple sustainable consumption values, such as switching off unwanted electrical appliances, are imbibed in homes as well as schools from a young age. During the dry and hot summers, many Indian households still prefer to use fans or desert coolers as compared to air conditioners. During summers, people often prefer to sleep out in the open, in courtyards or on the terrace, thus leading to reduced usage of cooling appliances in homes. For generations, earthen pots or matkas have been used to store water and keep it cool. This helps reduce the refrigeration requirement during summers. The practice of sun-drying of clothes and hand washing dishes reduces the usage of energy-intensive tumble driers and dish-washers, respectively. This practice is especially followed in south-Asian and African countries. Hand washing the dishes would save around 200 to 300kWh/year assuming one cycle per day of dish washing. This also results in reduced water consumption as compared to dishwashers. People, especially in villages, and smaller towns and cities, prefer to bathe with a bucket and mug which is significantly less wasteful than bathing under shower or in bath tubs. Some people also prefer to bathe in cold water for most of the year. Traditional structures such as Baoris or stepwells to collect water in arid areas are an example of efficient conservation and use of natural resources. Cultural regulation in arid areas of western India requires water management through: Using terraces as catchments where none can soil the surface with shoes. Soiled crockery is burnished clean with soil and dry ash. While drinking water, the tumbler is not touched to the lips so that the remaining water can be consumed by others. Building and Construction Traditional building practices such as use of solar-passive orientation, thermal insulation by using mud, jalis or chequered windows and large courtyards for natural ventilation are examples of practices that are designed for comfort in harmony with the natural surroundings, thus reducing energy requirements. Traditionally, Indian house construction utilises local materials like bamboo, stones and clay. The use of traditional materials is not only suitable for local climate but also contributes to GHG mitigation by reducing cement consumption and material transport. Waste Management: 3 Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle The culture of repair/recycle and reuse is a part and parcel of Indian lifestyle. There exists a thriving informal recycling network that has a strong door to door collection system, as well as forward linkages to the recycling industry. Newspapers, plastic, metals, woollens, cartons, and electronic products are recycled extensively. In their day to day life, Indian households try to minimise waste generation through material reuse. For instance, metal, plastic and glasswares used for food packaging are reused to store food grains and other groceries in the kitchen. Also, old clothes, books, toys, etc. are passed on within the family or to the needy. Even luxury items such as refrigerators and cars have a good second hand market. Health and Yoga India is known for practicing traditional medicinal systems—Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy. These systems of medicine have been prevalent since ancient times and have found mention in the scriptures. Traditional health care systems are mainly plant-based, safe and costeffective natural therapies. In India, several home-made health drinks like shikanji, kanji, thandai which rejuvenate and restore energy and health in harsh climate are also popular Nature Conservation In India, forests are revered and trees worshipped. Forest and tree cover in India stand at 24.01 per cent of the country’s geographical area and is on ascendance. The forests of India are a critical resource for rural and local people throughout the country, provisioning food, fuel and fodder. They have a role in stabilising soil and water resources. Forests neutralise approximately 12 per cent of India’s GHG emissions. Sacred Groves and Landscapes Conservation of sacred species, groves, forests and landscapes has been an important aspect of the ethics of Indian culture. The Sacred Groves / Forests are important repositories of floral and faunal diversity that have been conserved by local communities in a sustainable manner. The sacred groves in Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, and elsewhere not only highlight community managed conservation efforts but also offer potential for carbon sequestration. Planting of trees is seen as Punya or a ‘karmically’ rewarding activity resulting in plantation drives or van mahotsavs annually. Bishnoi is a social group found in the Western Thar Desert of India, who follow the tenets of conserving biodiversity of the area and ensuring a healthy eco-friendly social life for the community. For them, harming the environment means harming themselves. In Rajasthan, a desert state of India, the Khejri tree (Prosopis cineraria) is valued for its moisture-retaining properties, and it is not axed even if it comes between the constructions. The live example of this is seen in Salasar Balaji temple in Sikar district. Source : Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)