Global Climate Progress: Action over Discussion
While dialogues are crucial, concrete actions are essential for addressing climate change effectively. India's Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) focuses on reviving traditional conservation methods and reframing them as deliberate acts of planetary stewardship.
Impact and Integration of Mission LiFE
- According to the IEA report, global adoption of LiFE-related measures could cut annual CO2 emissions by over 2 billion tonnes by 2030.
- Mission LiFE is now a key component of India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), incorporating lifestyle-based actions into national governance.
Synergy of Personal Action and Public Policy
- The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana empowers 1 crore households to install rooftop solar systems.
- Since its launch in February 2024, the program has nearly 58 lakh applications and added 4.9 GW to rooftop solar capacity.
Progress in Clean Technology
- India achieved over 50% non-fossil electric generation capacity by 2025, meeting the revised NDC target ahead of time.
- Solar capacity rose from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 127 GW in 2025, marking a 45× increase.
- This shift underscores the economic and environmental transformation driven by clean technologies.
Afforestation and Grassroots Movements
- The ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ scheme under Mission LiFE has become the largest grassroots climate initiative globally.
- Over 250 crore trees have been planted since its start in June 2024.
- A mature tree absorbs approximately 25 kg of CO2 annually and generates sufficient oxygen for two people.
Decentralized Climate Finance Model
- India supports a decentralized, people-driven model of climate finance that is quick and self-sustaining.
- Over 14.7 lakh schools are involved in the initiative through eco clubs.
- The expansion of ‘Ek Ped… 2.0’ involves geotagging for real-time monitoring and aims for 10 crore additional plantings.
- The armed forces have committed to planting 15 lakh trees.
India’s message is clear: true sustainability starts with nurturing, not merely with negotiations.