India & France Form Alliance for Work in Sustainable Development, RE and More

India and France have formed an alliance to strengthen their cooperation in sustainable development, RE adoption and more key areas that boost global environment protection.

India and France have formed an alliance to strengthen their cooperation in sustainable development and work towards increasing renewable energy (RE) adoption and more key areas that boost global environment protection. Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar and Barbara Pompili, the French Minister for Ecological Transition launched the Indo-French Year of the Environment. 

Launched the #IndoFrench year of Environment with my French counterpart Ms. Barbara Pompili. The Indo-French partnership on Environment, Biodiversity,#Climate Change and other allied areas will set an example for the rest of the world.@barbarapompili @MEAIndia @Indian_Embassy pic.twitter.com/BItaamxUc7

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) January 28, 2021

 The basic objective is to strengthen the cooperation of the two countries in sustainable development, increase the effectiveness of actions in favour of global environment protection and give them greater visibility.

“We are the two main pillars of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) launched by PM Shri Narendra Modi. This revolutionary step has changed into a successful experiment. This partnership towards global environment protection will set an example for the rest of the world to work more effectively and efficiently towards sustainable development,” Javadekar said. Adding that “India has made significant progress towards climate change action & has already achieved 26 percent of reduction of emission intensity. As of 2020, the renewable capacity in India stands at 90 GW which includes 36 GW of solar energy & 38 GW of wind energy.”

The Indo-French Year of the Environment over the period 2021-2022 would be based on five main themes: environmental protection, climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable urban development, and the development of renewable energies and energy efficiency. It is also a platform for engaging in discussions on critical areas of collaboration relating to the environment and allied areas.

The French minister also reiterated the significance of the Indo-French partnership towards climate change and environment protection and said that through this partnership, France and India look forward to setting an example for the rest of the world. “India can motivate many many countries in the field of sustainable development,” said Pompili.

From the French side, it will be held under the aegis of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs with the support of the Embassy of France in Delhi and its partners. From the Indian side, it will be coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) along with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and other concerned Ministries/Departments/Organisations.

Prior to the launch, a bilateral meeting was also held between the French delegation and their Indian counterpart at the Environment Ministry wherein both sides deliberated on issues relating to climate change, biodiversity, blue economy, international solar alliance, cooperation in the field of single-use plastic, etc.