A Common Man's Guide to Sustainability Words
November 5, 2025
Sometimes you can decode it all and sometimes you might get green to the ears to decipher what they’re saying, trying to say or implying. You hear it everywhere—on the news, on product labels, and in government announcements. Words like "Net Zero," "ESG," and "Circular Economy" are thrown around, but what do they really mean for us in India? Sustainability is no longer a niche topic; it's shaping how our country grows, how businesses operate, and how we live.
This article breaks down the essential sustainability terms used by the government, big companies, small businesses, and new-age entrepreneurs, so you can be an informed part of the conversation without scratching your head.
The Government's Green Language
When the government talks about sustainability, it's often about large-scale national goals and public participation.
SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals): You might see charts with 17 colourful boxes. These are the UN's 17 SDGs, a global blueprint to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. India has its own SDG India Index (run by NITI Aayog) to track how our states are performing on goals like "Clean Water and Sanitation" (Goal 6) and "Affordable and Clean Energy" (Goal 7).
Net Zero: This is a big promise. India has pledged to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070. It doesn't mean we will stop all emissions. It means we will balance the greenhouse gases we do emit by removing an equal amount from the atmosphere (e.g., by planting massive forests or using new technology).
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): This is a uniquely Indian concept championed by the Prime Minister. It's a call for individual action. Instead of just high-level policies, LiFE focuses on simple changes we can all make—like using public transport, saving water, or reducing waste—turning sustainability into a jan andolan (people's movement).
Green Credit Programme (GCP): This is a new "pro-planet" market. Unlike carbon credits (which are about reducing emissions), the GCP rewards positive environmental actions. An individual or company can earn "Green Credits" for activities like planting trees on wasteland or water conservation. These credits can then be traded.
What Big Industries Talk About
For large corporations, sustainability is now a serious matter of investment, reporting, and long-term strategy.
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance): This is the most important term in the business world right now. It's a framework investors use to measure a company's performance beyond just profits.
Environmental: How much pollution does the company create? How much water and energy does it use?
Social: How does it treat its employees? Is its supply chain ethical? How does it impact the local community?
Governance: Is the company's leadership transparent? Is it free from corruption?
In India: Top companies are now legally required to report on their ESG performance.
BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting): This is the specific report card mandated by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) for India's top listed companies. It forces them to disclose their ESG data, making them accountable to the public and investors.
EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility): This is a key policy for tackling waste. EPR makes the manufacturer responsible for the entire lifecycle of their product, especially after the consumer throws it away. You see this in action with plastic waste and e-waste. The company that made your phone or plastic bottle is now responsible for ensuring it is collected and recycled.
The MSME & Entrepreneur Buzzwords
For Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, sustainability is a way to innovate, cut costs, and build new markets.
Circular Economy: This is the opposite of the "take-make-dispose" model. A circular economy is all about Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The goal is to design waste out of the system.
Entrepreneurs are building entire businesses on this, such as:
Thrift stores: Selling pre-loved clothing online.
Rental platforms: Letting you rent furniture or electronics instead of buying them.
Waste-to-Value: Startups that turn agricultural or plastic waste into new products like fuel or building materials.
ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect): This is a certification scheme from the Indian government specifically for MSMEs.
Zero Defect: The product is high quality and doesn't fail.
Zero Effect: The manufacturing process has no negative impact on the environment (e.g., no pollution, efficient water use). A ZED-certified MSME is seen as both high-quality and responsible.
Greenwashing: A term you must know as a consumer. This is when a company pretends to be environmentally friendly to sell products, but its claims are false or misleading. For example, designing a package with green leaves to make it look "natural" when the product inside is not. Always look for legitimate certifications (like ZED, Ecomark, or Organic) rather than vague marketing.
Sources for further reading of the terms:
6. https://earth.org/unpacking-indias-new-green-credit-programme/
7. https://niti.gov.in/key-initiatives/life
8. https://www.moefcc-gcp.in/about/aboutGCP
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