Can a shift towards sustainable lifestyles drive access to essential needs?
A greater shift towards sustainable living will not only protect the planet but help to improve people’s lives. Through effective interventions, this transition can promote greater access to essential needs – such as food, shelter, energy and health – particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
During our Sustainable Lifestyles Summit for World Consumer Rights Day we will dive into how government, business and consumer groups can actively support sustainable lifestyles and meet people’s essential needs. Ahead of the summit, we examine how these elements intersect across food, energy and mobility.
Food: Affordable, Healthy, and Sustainable Choices
Food systems have the power to nourish people and sustain the planet, yet today many are failing to do so. Over 820 million people still face hunger, while millions more lack access to nutritious food. At the same time, food production is major driver of climate change, biodiversity loss and long-term food insecurity. As climate change, intensifies, so do risks to food safety and availability.
Consider a smallholder farmer in Kenya who faces the harsh realities of unpredictable weather and the high costs of living. Both the farmer’s family and the wider community suffer and encounter a harsh cycle of poverty. This is a reality for farming families across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia – regions experiencing severe climate challenges. As droughts become more frequent and traditional farming methods less reliable, shifting to diverse, drought-resistant crops like millet, sweet potatoes, and legumes could offer a lifeline. These crops require fewer resources, provide better nutrition, and create income opportunities through surplus sales. Given that 80% of the global population most at risk to climate-related food shortages live in these regions, embracing sustainable food systems is no longer a choice – it’s becoming more and more essential for securing the fundamental human right to food.
More than three billion consumers worldwide cannot afford a healthy diet, including over 90% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa. Many of the interventions needed to deliver more sustainable food systems – such as strengthening local food networks, reducing waste, and improving access to diverse diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and sustainable sources of protein – would simultaneously make nutritious food both more accessible and affordable. Research shows that diets with a high proportion of minimally-processed, plant-based foods are often cost-effective, while benefiting both human health and the environment. During our Sustainable Lifestyles Summit we will discuss the actions needed to support farmers through this dietary transition.
While development finance and food system strategies largely prioritise transforming food production, promoting sustainable lifestyles can unlock clear win-wins – including access to food and nutrition.
Energy: Lower Costs, Greater Access, and Better Health
When a small business owner in Kaduna, Nigeria receives upfront support to switch from an expensive diesel generator to a solar-powered mini-grid system, the benefits extend beyond cost savings. The shift provides consistent, reliable power (enhancing business operations), eliminates harmful pollution from the generator, and significantly improves their family’s health and quality of life. This story underscores a fundamental truth: access to clean energy is not just a privilege—it’s a basic right that improves well-being and strengthens communities.
Around the world, millions struggle to access affordable energy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where energy costs can be crippling. In Nigeria alone, over 85 million people —around 40% of the population— are without access. Households and businesses rely on costly fossil fuels, spending an estimated $5 billion annually on generator fuel. Despite these challenges, there is a growing interest in Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as solar power, mini-grids, and battery storage. These technologies are gaining momentum as viable sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional grid power.
This demand for DERs is driven by the need to reduce dependence on expensive fossil fuels, coupled with the health and environmental benefits of clean energy. The International Energy Agency reports that renewable energy is now cheaper than fossil fuels in many regions, with costs continuing to decline as renewable technologies scale up. However, regulatory and market gaps—including limited consumer awareness of energy policies, financing options, and emerging technologies—have slowed the transition to sustainable energy solutions.
Our Member, CADEF, is working to bridge this gap by providing consumers with reliable information, connecting them with verified service providers and financing opportunities, as well as the latest regulatory updates. By promoting advocacy and inclusive energy solutions, CADEF is empowering Nigerian consumers to make informed energy decisions. Through this work, consumer advocacy groups like CADEF are helping to pave the way for a future where clean, affordable energy is accessible to all.
Transport: Smarter Mobility for Better Living
In Chennai, India, residents face daily struggles with unreliable, aging bus fleets that emit visible exhaust fumes – often forcing them to rely on private vehicles. This shift adds to the city’s growing traffic jams and dangerous high NO2 pollution levels, which are double the WHO’s safe limits. The need for cleaner, more reliable public transport, such as electric buses and well-maintained transit systems, isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating a healthier, cleaner future for everyone in the city.
Sustainable mobility options—such as public transport, electric vehicles, and active transport (walking and cycling)—offer long-term cost savings, especially as fuel prices rise and clean energy alternatives become more accessible. Beyond affordability, these options promote healthier lifestyles. Advancing sustainable mobility requires meaningful consumer participation, necessitating collaboration between policymakers, advocacy groups, and community stakeholders.
In India, government bodies such as the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the Department of Telecommunications, and the Bureau of Indian Standards already engage with consumer organisations. Our Member, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group, is actively working with government agencies on a project to enhance sustainable mobility, particularly for marginalised communities. This initiative fosters citizen involvement in transit planning through research, advocacy, and public engagement, addressing critical data gaps in urban mobility.
For low- and middle-income groups, financial constraints often limit transport choices. Having policymakers invest in sustainable mobility ensures that everyone can access clean, efficient, and affordable transportation.
Additionally, reducing dependence on petrol-powered transport carries significant health benefits – air pollution from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is a major contributor to respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases. By embracing cleaner transport solutions, we can protect public health while reducing household transport expenses. Ensuring sustainable mobility for all is a step toward equitable access to healthier, more affordable, and environmentally responsible lifestyles.