Sustainability Begins with Self, But Can Transform Enterprises Too!

Preface and Disclaimer: The views in this article are my personal. The article only attempts to discuss impact of certain practices on environment and natural resources and solutions to improve sustainability while not challenging anyone's personal freedom of choice or faith. It is only to invite reflection on how our cherished traditions and daily habits, when viewed through an environmental lens, might offer wisdom in our shared quest for a sustainable future. The references to numbers / statistics in the article are based on the information / news / reports available in the public domain and it's accuracy belongs to respective named entities / individuals. Please see references section at the end of the article.

In Bharat (India), life's essentials are often summed up as "Roti, Kapda, aur Makaan" (Food, Clothing, and Shelter). These aren't just basic needs; they're also our most significant environmental touchpoints. As we grapple with climate change, the old adage "charity begins at home" takes on a new meaning: sustainability starts with our daily choices.

Roti (Food): From Farm to Fork

Modern agriculture accounts for 24% of global greenhouse gases. Surprisingly, the food on our plates plays a big role — livestock alone contributes 14.5% - more than all transportation combined. Industrial practices deplete resources, with 70% of global freshwater used in farming with much higher proportion consumed directly and indirectly by livestock farming and 80% of deforestation linked to agricultural expansion. When feed production is included, livestock accounts for about 29% of global agricultural water use. If current meat consumption trends continue, agriculture will require 70% more water.

The solution? A shift to vegetarianism can slash food-related emissions by 63%. Plant-based diets use 76% less land and 50% less water. When paired with organic, local produce, which reduces transport emissions by 50% and increases soil health by 26%, the impact is transformative.

Enterprises are catching on. In 2018, Forbes published an article on how corporates are adopting plant-based practices. According to Forbes, Facebook and Dropbox have seen successful employee-driven vegan initiatives. WeWork stopped expensing meat in 2018 for all company events. European Parliament cateens have gone green on Mondays since 2020. Since September 2020, Council of EU - all canteens in Brussels have been participating in 'Veggie Thursday'. There are many such recent examples.

These examples show that vegetarian, fresh food isn't a constraint but an opportunity. For enterprises, it means lower costs, higher sustainability scores, and a healthier workforce. It's a powerful way to align daily operations—something as basic as lunch—with grand sustainability goals.

Kapda (Clothing): Weaving Change

Although, I have written here on this at length in the past, here is a fresh summary.

Fashion's footprint is startling: 10% of global carbon emissions, 20% of wastewater, and 60% synthetic fibers shedding 500,000 tons of microplastics into oceans yearly. Fast fashion's 52 "micro-seasons" fuel overconsumption.

Bharat's handlooms offer a timeless solution. Supporting 4.3 million artisans, handlooms use zero electricity compared to power looms' 6-8 kW/hr. Natural dyes in traditional textiles are biodegradable. Even silk is evolving, with "Ahimsa silk" allowing moths to emerge before using cocoons. Most iconic is Khadi, with a 60% lower carbon footprint than mill-made cloth.

Companies are threading sustainability into their brands. Patagonia's "Worn Wear" program champions longevity over fast fashion. In Bharat, there are many small scale brands like ShramDaan, Apnapan, ChalCharkha etc, which serves the dual purpose of creating clothing based on environment friendly, cruelty free handcrafted cotton and supporting employment creation in villages. On other hand, brands like Anavila and 11.11 / eleven eleven aren't just using handlooms; they're reviving endangered crafts.

Makaan (Housing): Nature as the Architect

Buildings emit 39% of global carbon: 28% from operations and 11% from materials. Cement alone accounts for 8% of CO?. In hot climates, this environmental cost comes with personal discomfort—concrete houses can be 8-10°F warmer.

Yet, our ancestors built cooler homes without ACs. Ancient bharatiya techniques offer climate resilience:

- Jaalis (latticed screens) ventilate without electricity.

- Courtyard (aangan) designs in traditional homes are 5-7°C cooler.

- Green roofs in Bharat reduce indoor temperatures by 3-5°C.

- Rajasthan's mud houses stay 5-10°C cooler.

- Kerala's thatched roofs and high ceilings cut temperatures by 6-8°C.

Leading architects are taking note. Bjarke Ingels Group's "Oceanix City" uses traditional water techniques for floating cities. In Bharat, Studio Mumbai integrates vernacular designs into contemporary buildings. ITC's Green Center in Gurugram uses ancient principles to achieve LEED Platinum status.

From Individual to Enterprise

While personal choices matter, enterprises have the scale to drive systemic change. Why should companies adopt these traditional practices?

1. Cost Efficiency: Lower bills from natural cooling, organic farming, handloom energy savings.

2. Risk Mitigation: Sustainable practices buffer climate-related supply disruptions.

3. Innovation: Ancient techniques inspire R&D, like Khadi guiding eco-textile research.

4. Brand Value: 88% of consumers want brands to support sustainable living.

5. Talent Attraction: 76% of millennials prioritize employers' social impact.

6. Long-Term Viability: Nature-based solutions offer centuries-tested resilience.

7. Policy Readiness: Proactive adoption before stricter regulations.

8. Community Goodwill: Supporting local artisans and farmers strengthens relationships.

These aren't just Bharatiya solutions but global inspirations. Just as yoga went worldwide, these sustainable practices can make Bharatiya firms global thought leaders.

Crucially, enterprises are people. The automobile engineers pushing for recycled car materials — they're individuals driving corporate change. Every role can advocate: HR hosting khadi fashion shows, R&D engineer exploring mud-brick innovations, Hotel chefs championing Veggie menu.

Conclusion: A Harmonious Future

"Roti, Kapda, aur Makaan" aren't just necessities; they're our most intimate interactions with Earth. By choosing vegetarian meals, handcrafted clothes, and nature-inspired homes, individuals set a sustainability standard. When enterprises adopt these age-old practices, they amplify this ethos exponentially.

In our quest for progress, we often equate "advanced" with "new." But in sustainability, our most advanced solutions might be centuries old, waiting in our grandmother's recipes, a weaver's loom, or a village home's design. This isn't regression; it's recognizing that our ancestors, living harmoniously with nature for generations, encoded wisdom into daily life.

Sustainability indeed begins with self—our meals, wardrobes, dwellings. But its true power emerges when these personal values shape institutional ones. As individuals inspire enterprises, we don't just reduce carbon footprints; we redefine progress as harmony between innovation and tradition, economy and ecology, humanity and Earth. In this confluence lies a future where thriving businesses and a healthy planet aren't competing goals but one and the same.

References:

Food:

1. UN Water (2022). Water Facts.

2. FAO (2013). Tackling Climate Change Through Livestock.

3. FAO (2016). State of the World's Forests.

4. Poore & Nemecek (2018). Science: Reducing food's environmental impacts.

5. Springmann et al. (2018). PNAS: Options for keeping the food system within environmental limits.

6. European Parliament (2020). News: Parliament canteens to go green on Mondays.

7. Council of the European Union (2021). META by EPHA: Is a Council without Meat a Bridge too far?

8. University of Cambridge (2016). Sustainable food policy.

Clothing:

1. UN Environment Programme (2018). Putting the brakes on fast fashion.

2. Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017). A New Textiles Economy.

3. Ministry of Textiles, India (2021). Annual Report 2020-21.

4. Khadi & Village Industries Commission, India (2019). Annual Report.

Housing:

1. World Green Building Council (2019). Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront.

2. Chatham House (2018). Making Concrete Change.

3. UNEP (2019). Sand and Sustainability.

4. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2008). Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

5. U.S. Energy Information Administration (2021). Buildings Sector.

6. BIG's official website. Project Page: Oceanix City.

7. Architectural Review (2010). Studio Mumbai: Working in India.