Sustainable Lifestyles

This input paper tries to sketch the broad trends in consumption in both countries (India and Germany) , the societal and market responses to them and opportunities and obstacles associated with promoting sustainable modes of consumption. It identifies some of the possible forms of cross-learning that could be available from both contexts, keeping in mind that there may be different approaches, visions, models and tools available to each country, in accordance with corresponding national circumstances and priorities. The discussion will attempt to consider broader ‘transformative’ possibilities rather than ‘instrumental incrementalism’. The former could include capacity building as well as knowledge transfer on sustainable lifestyles; inspiring people to become more aware of and personally engaged with questions of consumption and sustainability; innovation as it relates to changing lifestyles that imply more sustainable modes of consumption; and cultures and governance models that could promote sustainable lifestyles.