The recent progress of India towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, an international objective that emphasizes responsible consumption and production patterns, has attracted significant attention. While the country’s efforts are commendable, there is an apparent room for improvement. The goal of SDG 12 encompasses minimizing the utilization of natural resources and toxic materials and reducing waste and pollutant emissions through the lifecycle of services or products.
Main Highlights of SDG 12
Among the critical points relating to SDG 12 are the reduction of global food waste per capita by half and provision for the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources by the year 2030. Also important are combating pollution, reducing overall waste generation, improving the management of chemicals and toxic wastes and ensuring people worldwide understand and embrace methods of living in harmony with nature.
Lifestyle Material Footprint in India
The lifestyle material footprint quantifies resource consumption resulting from individuals’ lifestyles. As per statistics from 2015, the average lifestyle material footprint in India is approximately 8,400 kilograms per capita annually. This measurement is very close to the sustainable material footprint target of 8,000 kilograms per capita per year, indicating a largely acceptable level of sustainability in India.
Issues of Food Wastage
Food wastage in India continues to be a significant concern. As per the UNEP 2021 report, each person in India wastes about 50 kilograms of food annually. Given this high level of waste, efforts to halve food waste within the next nine years will require a significantly increased investment.
Waste Generation Status
Collectively, China and India account for 36% of the global population but are responsible for only 27% of global municipal waste generation. Conversely, the United States, which makes up just 4% of the world’s population, generates 12% of global waste.
Plastic Waste in India
Despite having a plastic policy index below the national requirement according to 2018 data, India’s plastic waste gap is considerably lower than that of China. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) states that India produces nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic per day, with over 10,000 tonnes of this waste remaining uncollected. The country’s per capita plastic consumption is less than 11kg, a fraction of the consumption in the United States which stands at 109kg.
Recycling Rate and Impact
India’s domestic recycling rate stood at approximately 30% in 2019. However, this figure is expected to rise in the future, particularly if the National Recycling Policy is effectively implemented and recycling industries adopt advanced scrap care techniques.
Fossil Fuel Subsidy and Renewable Energy
In 2020, India’s government spent almost 0.2% of its GDP on fossil fuels – a slight increase from 2019. Conversely, renewable energy subsidies have increased significantly since 2014, although there has been a minor upward trend in total energy subsidies since 2017. This increase in renewable energy subsidies is promising, but more resources need to be allocated to renewable energy to decrease dependency on fossil fuels.
Sustainable Tourism Practices
Sustainable tourism, focusing on the economic, social, and environmental impacts of tourism, is another area where India is making headway. Regions like Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are leading with initiatives like ‘Responsible Tourism’ and ‘Homestay Scheme’.
Education on Environment
The Indian government made environment education a mandatory component in the formal curriculum in the 1960s. This early emphasis on the importance of the environment displays a commitment to sustainable practices in the country.
While India’s progress towards SDG 12 is noteworthy, there are areas where intensive efforts are required to ensure that India’s consumption and production patterns become more sustainable.
