New Delhi: Indians have a reason to cheer and feel proud of their food heritage. A recent report has shed light on the significant role of Indian sustainable eating habits in addressing global climate change, a pressing issue worldwide. The report emphasizes that practices such as limiting food waste, prioritising vegetarian diets, and consuming locally sourced foods can make a substantial difference.
A recent Living Planet Report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) showed that Indian food consumption patterns are the most climate-friendly among the G20 nations.
The report also presents a compelling scenario: if people in other countries were to adopt the Indian diet, the world would need only 0.84 percent of the Earth to support food production by 2050. This is a significant reduction from the current projections, highlighting the potential of Indian food consumption practices in mitigating global greenhouse gas emissions.
Shravani Mali, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, a data analytics company, said India has intensified the vegan movement, especially in metropolitan cities in recent years.
“The country’s current food consumption practices emphasise plant-based diets and climate-resilient crops such as millets, which require fewer resources and generate lower emissions compared to meat-heavy diets,” Mali said, adding that “The transition is also connected to a wider focus on sustainability”.
According to a recent consumer survey by GlobalData, 79 percent of Indians consider sustainability and environmental friendliness as essential factors when purchasing food and drinks. This growing awareness and demand for sustainable options are driving a shift towards more climate-friendly diets, such as those traditionally followed in India.
“Traditional Indian diets primarily consist of lentils, grains, and vegetables. These traditional diets, which place an emphasis on seasonal and local produce, are becoming more popular as environmental issues gain more attention. Consequently, with increasing awareness, consumers will look forward to curtailing environmental burdens by adopting traditional dietary practices that prioritise plant-based foods,” Mali said.
Deepak Nautiyal, Consumer and Retail Commercial Director, APAC and Middle East at GlobalData, lauded the government for introducing several initiatives to promote environmentally sustainable practices in the country.
He cited the National Millet Campaign and the International Year of Millets (2023) campaigns rolled out by the government to boost the production and consumption of millets. Millets are an environmentally sustainable source of food and nutrition.
In addition, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is a government initiative that aims to improve climate-resilient farming practices and promote sustainable agriculture.
Mali said adopting climate-friendly diets, especially sustainable Indian eating habits, can be key to addressing critical global environmental and health challenges.
–IANS
