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A "sustainable lifestyle" defines a set of practices and behavioral surrounded by social norms, institutions, and infrastructure to involve a reduction in the use of resources from nature and the creation of wastes while supporting fairness and prosperity for all (UNEP, 2010) (1). Meaningful sustainable lifestyles refer to the ways of living and social behaviors that minimize harm to the environment (use of resources from nature, emission of CO₂ gases, generation of waste, and pollution) while aiming for social economic development and well-being for all, (UNEP, 2024) (2).
Sustainability is a balance between human needs and the natural environment. Sustainable consumption is all about production, disposal, and services, while well-being promotes social, economic, and environmental conditions. According to the WHO, advancing well-being strengthens resilience to global health and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including housing, transport systems, and health care delivery. The Urban Health Initiative (UHI), Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CACC) on the Breathe Life campaign are some of the initiatives targeting clean air and healthier cities (3) (4).
The Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to combat climate change and protect the environment aim for achievement by 2030, with long-term economic and environmental stability through integration of economic, environmental, and social factors in decision-making. Specifically, SDG Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) link sustainability to population health outcomes (5).
The UN Environment Programme collaborates globally, building the evidence, education, enabling infrastructures and solutions, considering social norms, economies, cultures and local contexts in place, and empowering people to live better and lighter (2).
References:
- A framework for shaping sustainable lifestyles determinants and strategies ii. (n.d.). //www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sites/default/files/a_framework_for_shaping_sustainable_lifestyles_determinants_and_strategies_0.pdf
- Environment, U. (2024). Sustainable Lifestyles and Skills. UNEP - UN Environment Programme. //www.unep.org/topics/finance-and-economic-transformations/scp-and-circularity/sustainable-lifestyles-and-skills
- Promoting well-being. (2021). Who.int. //www.who.int/activities/promoting-well-being
- World. (2020, July 10). Sustainable development. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. //www.who.int/health-topics/sustainable-development#tab=tab_1
- Martin. (2025, September 10). Health - United Nations Sustainable Development. United Nations Sustainable Development. //www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/
Posted : January 24, 2026 9:19 pm
The science of happiness is an increasingly prominent area of interdisciplinary research, emphasizing the profound
connection between individual well-being and sustainable living practices.
Sustainable living refers to a lifestyle that minimizes an individual's or society's use of the Earth's natural
resources, while promoting the conservation of these resources for future generations. It involves making
conscious choices to reduce our ecological footprint, mitigate climate change, and preserve biodiversity.
Impact of Sustainable Living on the Environment
1. Sustainable living practices like energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation
reduce greenhouse gas emissions (carbon emissions), mitigating climate change.
2. Sustainable living minimizes the depletion of natural resources like water, land, and minerals and
conserves them, ensuring their availability for future generations.
3. Sustainable living helps maintain biodiversity and ecosystem health by reducing pollution, preserving
ecosystems, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
4. Sustainable living practices like reducing, reusing, and recycling minimize waste and pollution,
protecting the environment and human health.
5. Sustainable living helps maintain ecosystem services like air and water purification, soil formation, and
climate regulation.
(Menon, 2025)
Recent technological innovations that make knowledge and productive capacity widely available at little cost and promote creative and collaborative activity could facilitate a transition to a world of reduced environmental stress and enhanced human well-being.(and, 2017).
Engaement of community is necessary for sustainable life style. A model that extends beyond the concept of Lifestyle for Sustainable Development, termed “Lifestyle for Holistic Sustainable Development,” supported by a case study of Dayalbagh, Agra—a community that inspired this model. Dayalbagh model aligns with the G20 High-level principles on Lifestyle for Sustainable Development and SDGs and demonstrates
how localized, community-driven initiatives can align with and support global sustainability frameworks. Dayalbagh’s lifestyle is deeply rooted in human values such as humility, equality, and selfless service, which underpin its practices and foster a culture of minimalism and zero waste. Residents emphasize voluntary service (seva) and cooperative living, which strengthen social cohesion and reduce inequalities. These values align with HLP 1 (inclusivity), HLP 3 (lifelong learning), and HLP 5 (resource conservation) and all SDGs.
Reference
//www.gapbodhitaru.org/res/articles/(60-63)-THE-SCIENCE-OF-HAPPINESS-SUSTAINABLE-LIVING-AND-WELLNESS-20250816122152.pdf " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Menon, M. (2025). GAP BODHI TARU A GLOBAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS: SUSTAINABLE LIVING AND WELLNESS. //www.gapbodhitaru.org/res/articles/(60-63)-THE-SCIENCE-OF-HAPPINESS-SUSTAINABLE-LIVING-AND-WELLNESS-20250816122152.pdf
//greattransition.org/publication/sustainability-and-well-being " target="_blank" rel="noopener">and, S. (2017, February 23). Sustainability and Well-Being: A Happy Synergy. Great Transition Initiative. //greattransition.org/publication/sustainability-and-well-being
//ris.org.in/sites/default/files/Publication/DP-302_Pami_Dua.pdf " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dua, P., Dhir, A., Das, D., Allamraju, A., Sudhish, S., Narayan, A., Saha, S., & Gupta, V. (n.d.). Learnings on Lifestyle for Sustainable Development. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from //ris.org.in/sites/default/files/Publication/DP-302_Pami_Dua.pdf
Posted : February 2, 2026 1:08 pm