Thiruvananthapuram: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Union Ministry of Power, has called upon the Kerala State government to accelerate the implementation of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). This initiative, championed by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aims to enhance Kerala’s environmental sustainability, promote eco-conscious lifestyles, and lead the way in the emerging climate economy. By aligning economic growth with India’s climate goals, Mission LiFE seeks to create a mutually beneficial scenario for both the public and the nation.
BEE emphasized the transformative potential of Mission LiFE, which advocates for mindful consumption and a circular economy, challenging the prevailing “use-and-throw” culture. The mission’s primary objective is to mobilize individuals toward climate-positive behaviors and foster an ecosystem that supports environmentally friendly and self-sustaining practices. With a global target of mobilizing one billion people, Mission LiFE aims to make 80 percent of India’s areas eco-friendly by 2028 through 75 non-disruptive actions for sustainable growth.
The impact of these actions is significant. BEE highlighted potential energy savings of up to 22.5 billion kWh by turning off engines at traffic signals, the prevention of 375 million tonnes of solid waste from entering landfills through the use of cloth bags, and the recycling of 0.75 million tonnes of e-waste by responsibly discarding non-functional gadgets. These measures are expected to make substantial contributions to India’s environmental goals, particularly during the 2022-23 to 2027-28 period.
Kerala’s Commitment to Carbon Neutrality: In a recent meeting with BEE’s Media Adviser for Southern States and UTs, A. Chandrashekhar Reddy, along with Dr. R. Hari Kumar, Director, and Johnson Daniel, HOD (DSM) of the Energy Management Centre (EMC), Kerala’s Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Department of Power, K R Jyothilal, outlined the state’s key environmental initiatives. Kerala has set ambitious goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and 100 percent renewable energy by 2040. Jyothilal underscored the state’s rapid adoption of electric vehicles and its efforts to promote Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. The state is exploring the incorporation of built-in sensors in electric vehicles to ensure off-peak charging and the regulation of air conditioner temperatures between 24 to 26˚C to prevent energy wastage.
Kerala’s natural forest coverage, which accounts for 30 percent of the state’s land, plays a critical role in carbon sequestration, absorbing 10 million tonnes of CO2 annually. The government plans to expand forest coverage by an additional 10,000 hectares through social forestry initiatives.
The BEE’s Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme has also made strides in Kerala. Nine energy-intensive industrial units have been mandated to reduce specific energy consumption, achieving savings equivalent to 0.01 million tonnes of oil, valued at Rs 10.97 crore, during the first cycle of the scheme. An additional nine industrial units have been given mandatory energy reduction targets in the second cycle.
Under the UJALA program, 1.51 crore household LED bulbs have been distributed across Kerala, and approximately 10,000 LED street lights have been installed under the state’s street light program. The EMC in Kerala has been designated as a “Stand-Alone State Designated Agency,” providing greater autonomy in implementing energy efficiency activities. During the XII Plan, EMC received financial assistance of Rs 403.61 lakhs under the ‘SDA Strengthening’ scheme.
Supporting these initiatives, EMC has organized various workshops, training programs for energy professionals, and public awareness campaigns on energy efficiency. Annual painting competitions for school children have also played a significant role in raising awareness.
BEE stressed the importance of lifestyles that align with available resources, advocating for the decoupling of economic growth from environmental degradation. The focus remains on improving energy efficiency, developing sustainable infrastructure, ensuring access to basic services, and creating green jobs to enhance the quality of life.
To foster a more sustainable lifestyle, the public is encouraged to use LED lights, prefer public transport, turn off vehicle engines at red lights and railway crossings, use bicycles for short commutes, choose CNG or electric vehicles, install solar water heaters or cookers, set air conditioners to 24 degrees, keep electronic devices in energy-saving mode, use cloth bags instead of plastic, turn off running taps, and opt for recycled plastic.
EMC has pledged to rigorously implement Mission LiFE programs to improve the environment in Kerala and expressed gratitude for BEE’s support in implementing energy conservation activities, which significantly contribute to the state’s climate change mitigation efforts and sustainable development goals.
BEE further emphasized the need for large-scale public involvement in scaling up energy efficiency and reiterated that all State Designated Agencies (SDAs) of Southern States, with the support of BEE, are prepared to meet these targets.
