Over consumption is largely responsible for environmental decline. A country like India is also increasing its consumption like several industrialised countries. This will add significantly to the ecological pressure. Changing to a Green economy — which mimics ecological processes, eliminates waste by re-using and recycling materials, and emphasises activities that enhance the quality of life and relationships rather than the consumption of goods promises new jobs, industries with less pollution, better work environments and a higher quality of life. Therefore, India Greens Party shall:
- promote measures of wellbeing rather than GDP to measure progress, and recognise the ecological limits to material growth and consumption.
- consider that citizens of countries affected by a development project have the right to participate in decisions about it, regardless of national boundaries.
- work to ensure that those who profit from exploiting any common and/or natural resources should pay the full market rent for the use of these resources, and for any damage they do to any other common resources.
- recognise that the impact of continuing urban growth (sprawl) onto agricultural land and the natural environment must be limited and ultimately stopped.
- recognise that the process of urbanisation due to rural poverty must be slowed and reversed through appropriate rural development programmes which recognise the concept of limits to growth and protect the character and ecology of the rural landscape.
- support local planning for ecologically sustainable business, housing, transport, waste management, parks, city forests, public spaces; and will establish links between Greens at local and regional level around the planet to exchange information and support.
- work to reduce vehicle based urban pollution by opposing ever-expanding freeways; encouraging the use of energy efficient vehicles; integrating land use planning with public transport, bicycling and walking; prioritising mass transit planning and funding over private auto infrastructure; and eliminating tax policies that favour auto-centric development.
- work to create socially responsible economic strategies, using taxes and public finance to maximise incentives for fair distribution of wealth, and eco-taxes to provide incentives to avoid waste and pollution.
- demand that corporations and communities reduce, reuse and recycle waste, aiming for a zero waste economy which replicates a natural ecosystem.
- support all policies that allow countries to increase job creation through economic activities that add value, or through recycling of resources, the production of durable goods, organic agriculture, renewable energy and environmental protection.
- promote socially responsible investment and ecological marketing so that consumers can make positive choices based on reliable information.
- recognise the value of traditional and local knowledge and beliefs, and support its incorporation into planning and projects.
