Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks travelled to New Delhi last week to hold talks on climate and environmental protection, energy policy and sustainable urban development. During her trip she met with Indian Environment Minister Javadekar, Energy Minister Goyal, Water Minister Bharati and Urban Development Minister Naidu. Both sides agreed to establish permanent bilateral working groups on
- water management
- waste management
- urban development
which will also involve other competent ministries and selected stakeholders, including from the regional and local level. The goal of the working groups is to intensify the exchange of know-how and hold meetings on a regular basis.
During her visit to New Delhi, Federal Environment Minister Hendricks stressed: "I am delighted that we have launched three new Indo-German working groups. Both the political and the business sides will do their utmost to support the Indian Government's efforts in the areas of climate and environmental protection and sustainable urban development. This will broaden the existing, very successful cooperation between our two governments on climate and environmental protection, in particular on renewable energies and energy efficiency, and will help us to move forward together sustainably."
Both environment ministers expressed their satisfaction with the proceedings of the second Indo-German Environment Forum, which brought together approximately 250 participants from politics, industry and civil society. The two-day event focused on four areas: waste and circular economy, water management, resource efficiency and sustainable urban development. The participants discussed the necessary framework conditions, challenges and potential solutions. The Environment Forum was organised by the two environment ministries together with the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The third Indo-German Environment Forum is expected to take place in Germany in 2017.
The German Environment Ministry has supported projects in India under its International Climate Initiative since 2008. The focus of the projects is on the increased use of renewable energies, climate action, biological diversity and resource efficiency.