Context: Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has introduced two pioneering initiatives that indicate the country's pro-active approach to climate change, sustainability and promotion eco-conscious practices.

• These initiatives, the Green Credit Program (GCP) and the Ecomark Scheme, seek to encourage environmentally friendly practices rooted in tradition and conservation; reflecting the ideas of LiFE  concept.

Green Credit Program (GCP): Incentivizing Environmental Actions

• Green Credit Program (GCP) is an innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across diverse sectors, by various stakeholders like individuals, communities, private sector industries, and companies. 

• Program Governance: The GCP’s governance framework is supported by an inter-ministerial Steering Committee

• The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) serves as the GCP Administrator, responsible for program implementation, management, monitoring, and operation.

In its initial phase, the GCP focuses on two key activities

• Water conservation and 

• Afforestation. 

Green Credit Registry & digital platform: A user-friendly digital platform will streamline the processes for registration of projects, its verification, and issuance of Green Credits.

• The Green Credit Registry and trading platform, being developed by ICFRE along with experts, would facilitate the registration and thereafter, the buying and selling of Green Credits.

About Ecomark Scheme: Promoting Eco-Friendly Products

• The Ecomark Scheme provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality standards as per Indian norms.

• The scheme seeks to ensure accurate labelling and prevent misleading information about products.

• Relevance: Products accredited under the Ecomark Scheme will ensure minimal environmental impact.

• It will build consumer awareness of environmental issues and encourage eco-conscious choices. 

• It will also motivate manufacturers to shift towards environmentally friendly production. 

• The scheme seeks to ensure accurate labelling and prevent misleading information about products.

• Role of BIS: The Central Pollution Control Board administers the Ecomark Scheme in partnership with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the national body for standards and certification.

Significance

• Both initiatives mark significant steps in promoting sustainable living, environmental conservation, and, through individual and collective choice, embody eco-friendly practices in India. 

• They align with global sustainability goals and reflect the government’s commitment to conservation and protection of the environment.

About LiFE Movement 

Initiative of LiFE

• The idea of LiFE was introduced by the Prime Minister during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021. 

Significance

• The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption’.

Promoting circular economy

• The Mission envisions replacing the prevalent ‘use-and-dispose’ economy—governed by mindless and destructive consumption—with a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilization.

Aim

• The LiFE Movement aims to utilise the power of collective action and nudge individuals across the world to undertake simple climate-friendly actions in their daily lives. 

• It also seeks to leverage the strength of social networks to influence social norms surrounding climate.