India’s G20 Presidency put the issue of sustainable development at the core of its programme. Indeed, the context is worrying. This year is on track to be the warmest ever, and the impacts of climate change are ever more visible. The energy sector clearly has a crucial role to play, accounting for around three-quarters of the greenhouse gases that humankind emits.At the same time, energy is critical to development. The consumption of energy is unequally spread around the world, and billions of people remain without access to modern forms of energy. This has severe consequences for their welfare and for the economic development of the countries affected. At the same time, recent global energy market turmoil lingers on, and the affordability of energy consumption remains a key concern for policymakers, in particular in developing economies.How to square this circle is the critical question.Traditional approaches have focused on the supply side, and they have met with some success. Recent developments in the deployment of renewable energy are very encouraging, and India has been at the forefront of these trends.But as highlighted by India in recent years, this approach is not enough. We also need to engage consumers to be part of the change. It is their choices when they purchase appliances, or motorbikes and cars, or houses and offices, which shape a huge share of global energy demand.This is why I am delighted that the Indian G20 Presidency managed to ensure the adoption of the “G20 High Level Principles on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development”. This represents the first time that a multilateral setting has agreed to key implementation principles for promoting more sustainable lifestyles and consumption choices.