Mission LiFE Offers a Holistic Approach to Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Says Lok Sabha Speaker
Parliamentarians from G20 countries and guest countries including the newly inducted African Union came together at the grand India International Convention Centre, Dwarka, Delhi to deliberate on the lifestyles which need to be adopted for the future of the planet. The Parliamentary Forum on LiFE (Mission Lifestyle for Environment), held on the day preceding the grand opening of the ninth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20), witnessed lawmakers sharing their perspectives on the shared challenges of humanity and pathways towards addressing them at national and international levels.
Addressing the Parliamentary Forum, Speaker of the House of the People of the world’s largest democracy, Shri Om Birla observed that the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission mooted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the world a new way to deal with contemporary challenges such as climate change, and ensure sustainable development, health security, food security and energy security. The Speaker said that Mission LiFE is a comprehensive approach to environmental protection which empowers every person to reduce, reuse and recycle. Noting that LiFE has now become a global movement, Shri Birla added that based on this idea, many countries are making policies and action plans according to their geographical and socio-economic conditions.
“No country untouched, need to confront climate change head-on”
The Lok Sabha Speaker said that in today’s times, climate change and its impact is deeply interlinked with the common future of humanity. “No country is untouched by the impact of climate change. Hence it is only natural that upon India’s initiative, environment-related issues have been unanimously placed at the centre of the discussions during the P-20 conference.” Highlighting the need for concrete efforts to deal with the challenges facing the world, the Speaker underlined that it is the need of the hour to confront climate change head-on.
“Policies and laws not enough, need individual and collective actions too”
Mentioning legislative initiatives taken by the Parliament of India on the topic of lifestyle for environment, Shri Birla said that extensive discussions have been held in the Parliament in this direction and laws have also been made. Emphasizing individual responsibility, he said that only policies and laws are not enough to deal with the problem of climate change; rather, everyone needs to contribute collectively by modifying their everyday routine. “It is necessary that everyone adopts such an approach in their lifestyle which causes no harm to the environment. It is everyone’s personal as well as collective responsibility to do this.”
Shri Birla urged Presiding Officers that the topic of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) must be discussed by all Parliaments to ensure that the message of this Mission is shaped into a people’s movement, leading to the building of a better world.
Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 Nations appreciated the initiative of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi for launching ‘LiFE’ mission and collectively resolved that they will take this initiative further through debates and discussions in their respective Parliaments.
“A significant step in our journey of sustainable living”
Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh underlined that Mission LiFE seeks to channel the efforts of individuals and communities into a global mass movement of positive behavioural change. Mission LiFE is a very significant step in our long journey of sustainable living, he added. Mentioning that India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made concerted efforts to combat the ill effects of climate change, he urged the legislators to be the guardians of environment and the torchbearers of a sustainable legacy and regenerative future. Collective efforts will turn the tide towards a world where life thrives, and our planet flourishes, noted Shri Harivansh.
Presiding officers of Parliaments of participating G20 nations also made interventions during the discussion.
Sherpa of India’s G-20 Presidency Shri Amitabh Kant also spoke on this occasion. Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Ms. Leena Nandan made a presentation on “LiFE”, followed by the showing of a short film on the Mission.
On Friday, 13 October, 2023, Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 9th P20 Summit at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, Delhi. Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla will grace the occasion. Besides Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 Nations, Presiding Officers of Parliaments of invited countries will also attend the Summit. The President of the Pan African Parliament will be making their inaugural participation in the P-20 Summit hosted in India.
Adhering to the philosophy of “VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM – Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future”, the two-day P20 Summit will deliberate on the following subjects of contemporary relevance:
- Agenda 2030 for SDGs: Showcasing Achievements, Accelerating Progress;
- Sustainable Energy Transition Gateway to Green Future;
- Mainstreaming Gender Equality- From Women’s Development to Women led Development;
- Transformation in Peoples’ Lives through Public Digital Platforms
The Ninth P20 reflects a glorious journey of collective vision of Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 Nations which had taken root in 2010 in a Consultative meeting.
The Parliamentary Forum on LiFE has brought together parliamentarians from G-20 nations, along with invited countries and international organizations, to deliberate on strategies for advancing sustainable lifestyles and combating climate change. This forum holds substantial significance, serving as a platform for parliamentarians to exchange insights and successful approaches in the promotion of sustainable living. Furthermore, it plays a pivotal role in increasing awareness of the LiFE movement and its overarching objectives.