October 25, 2024
(press release)
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Sustainable eating encompasses of practices such as minimizing food waste, prioritizing plant-based diets, and consuming locally sourced foods. India is known for its extensive history of vegetarian diets. As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, India’s sustainable eating habits offer a glimmer of hope to address the heightened ecological concerns, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. India’s traditional, climate friendly dietary habits have been spotlighted as a global blueprint for sustainable living in a recent Living Planet Report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It identified India’s food consumption pattern as the most climate friendly among G20 nations. The report further stated that if all countries across the globe would adopt the current food consumption pattern of India, the world would need 0.84% of an Earth to support food production by 2050+. Shravani Mali, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “In recent years, India observed an intensified vegan movement, especially in metropolitan cities. The country’s current food consumption practices, emphasizing plant-based diets and climate-resilient crops such as millets, require fewer resources and generate lower emissions compared to meat-heavy diets. This transition is also connected to a wider focus on sustainability. Underlining this trend, 79% of Indian respondents in GlobalData’s recent consumer survey stated that the sustainable/environmentally friendly feature is essential/nice to have when deciding to make a food and drinks purchase*.” Mali adds: “Traditional Indian diets primarily consist of lentils, grains, and vegetables. For instance, “Thali” is a meal that includes a combination of various food groups and shows a strong connection to the country’s land and history. 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 prioritize plant-based foods.” Deepak Nautiyal, Consumer and Retail Commercial Director, APAC and Middle East at GlobalData, notes: “The Indian government has introduced several initiatives to promote environmentally sustainable practices in the country. For instance, the government launched schemes such as National Millet Campaign and the International Year of Millets (2023) to enhance the production and consumption of millets since it is an environmentally sustainable source of food and nutrition. In addition to this, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) aims to improve climate-resilient farming. “Furthermore, the socioeconomic advantages of sustainable food production are exemplified by the Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program in southern India. Hence, these initiatives have positively contributed to India’s food practices as a model of sustainability.” Mali concludes: “By adopting climate-friendly diet, individuals can make a tangible impact on the environment. Adopting Indian sustainable eating habits worldwide offers a clear path to address critical environmental and health challenges. With the food system being one of major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, shifting towards plant-based diets, as exemplified by Indian cuisine, could reduce emissions significantly, creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.” *GlobalData 2024 Q3 Consumer Survey – India, with 500 respondents, published October 2024
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