India and Germany bilateral meeting on environmental issues

In News: 

A bilateral meeting was held between India and Germany in New Delhi to discuss a wide range of environmental issues.

• The discussion covered areas such as climate change, water scarcity, marine & air pollution, circular economy, etc.

Key Highlights from the Meeting

• The importance of Indo-German bilateral cooperation on the environment
  • India appreciated efforts made by Germany in bringing new technologies to India.
  • Achievements of India in tackling climate change were also appreciated.
• Information exchange in bilateral programmes
  • Both sides stressed the importance of information exchange in bilateral programmes keeping climate and SDG indicators in focus
  • Various sectors for such information exchange are Agro-Ecology, Solar Partnership Inter resilience.
• Circular Economy
  • India and Germany may explore strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially on the circular economy.
  • It may include treatment of solid waste (solar panels, batteries), wastewater etc.

Potential of Indo-German Cooperation on Different Issues

• Expected Indian Urban Boom
  • Over half the Indian population will live in cities by 2050. 
  • The cooperation efforts support Indian policies to find sustainable solutions for this growing challenge in the face of limited urban resources and climate change.
• COVID Pandemic
  • For over a year now, India, Germany and the entire world have been in crisis mode.
    • The Covid-19 pandemic has left no country untouched.
  • It is safe to say, we will either beat Covid-19 worldwide or not at all.
  • Further, it also drew attention away from the climate change crisis.
• Eco-Friendly Agriculture and Agroforestry
  • Smart solutions are being tested in India and Germany for more self-reliance.
    • It includes agroecological approaches and sustainable management of forests, soils and water.
  • Experience in India has shown that these methods also boost incomes for the local population. 
    • They also make them less dependent on expensive fertilisers, pesticides and seeds.
  • Germany is looking forward to deepening the work in this area. 
• One Health Approach and international health policies
  • Through a One Health approach, Germany wants to help tackle the challenges posed by population growth, increased mobility, shrinking habitats, industrialised farming and intensive animal husbandry.
  • One Health Approach looks at the close connections between human and animal health within their shared environment.
• Complimentary Visions of EU’s Green Deal, German targets and Indian NAPCC
  • The EU has adopted an ambitious Green Deal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
    • It also aims to decouple economic growth from the consumption of natural resources. 
  • Germany recently adopted laws on reducing greenhouse gases more quickly, achieving climate neutrality by 2045.
    • It will also stop the use of coal for electricity production by 2038.
  • India is one of few countries that looks set to deliver on the national goals it set itself as part of the Paris agreement.
    • Compared to other G20 countries, its per capita emissions are very low.
• IPCC Report and Paris Agreement
  • Global warming must be kept to well under 2 degrees Celsius and, if possible, to 1.5 degrees as per IPCC. 
  • Back in December 2015, 195 countries joined in Paris to sign an ambitious climate agreement. 
  • Each of those countries must deliver on its responsibilities. Climate change, too, is a crisis that can only be beaten worldwide or not at all.

Challenges before Indo- German Relations on Environment

• Poverty v/s Environment
  • India must bear in mind the development interests of its large population while implementing costly environmental projects. 
• Vulnerable Global Supply Chains due to Pandemic
  • Due to assertive China and Global lockdowns, the supply chains have been disrupted worldwide.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• Germany identifies Indian Contribution to the Environment and has shown faith in the democratic set up of India.
  • It recognises that without India, the world will not be able to fight climate change. 
    • Without India, the world cannot achieve the SDGs. 
  • That means that India has a leading international role to play in the global race to sustainability.
• Sustainable growth and climate action go hand in hand. 
  • India now has the opportunity to make its massive investments in infrastructure over the next 15 years climate-smart and climate-resilient. 
  • This will also protect the interests of the most vulnerable sections of the population. 
• Innovation and Highly-trained skilled people
  • Both nations have especially innovative economies and many highly-trained people.
  • That potential needs to be harnessed even more now.

• Ultimately, global climate goals and the SDGs can only be achieved through cooperation between governments, the private sector, science, and civil society.
  • So, each stakeholder must play its role diligently.

Source: PIB