India seeks more German help to fight climate change

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) India today reaffirmed its commitments to enhanced implementations of UNFCCC and to the Bali Action Plan.

Through years of rapid economic growth, India's emphasis on environment preservation has increased across all sectors, Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests S Regupathy said here.

''We have been consistent to sustainable development in our planned growth path as envisioned by our five year plans, '' he said addressing the Indo-German Environment Forum meeting.

The Minister said the Ministry was partnering the Indo-German Environment programme called Advisory Services in Environmental Management (ASEM) which is an umbrella project for Indo-German Technical Cooperation in the field.

Its objective is to improve urban-industrial environment and bring visible changes through implementation of identified environmental improvement projects which relate solid waste, water and waste management including sewerage and drainage and pollution abatement measures.

''Our collaboration has now reached new heights. Both the governments feel it important to diversify this collaboration to facilitate the business of both the countries to interact and exchange technological solutions,'' he added.

Underlining that the country had set in place a number of legislative-institutional frame work at the central, state and local levels including a very active judiciary, he said the National Environment Policy (NEP) was a statement of India' commitment to make a positive cooperation to international efforts.

At international level it has contributed to, and ratified several key multilateral agreements environmental issues in recognition of transboundry nature of environmental problems, the Minister said, adding that India had complied with all its commitments.

Referring to climate change issues, Mr Regupathy said ''India reaffirms its commitments to enhanced implementations of UNFCCC and to the Bali Action Plan.'' He expressed a hope that business houses of the two sides will interact in the Forum to identify and decided on some specific areas of cooperation and also the mechanism to move ahead.

Mr Sigmar Gabriel, Federal Minister for the Environment, Germany said the Forum was launching a new era of the Indo-German Environment Dialogue involving all relevant branches of both governments and all relevant stakeholders of both the countries.

The bilateral environment and energy cooperation is already strong. Together the two countries with all their experience, knowledge, economic potential and their networks are in an excellent position to move thing forwards decisively.

For emission trading, he said, they will ensure new and additional financial resources and transfer of technology.

Delegation of 40 people including parliamentarians, entrepreneurs and non-governmental representatives are accompanying the German Minister. The Indo-Germen Environment Forum is meeting here for two days.

It has been organised by Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany, Ministry of Environment and Forests, India, Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA), Germany and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, India in cooperation with Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, Germany, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, Ministry of Power, India, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India, Deutsche Gesellchaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Germany, Indo-German Chambers of Commerce, India.

UNI NAZ KK PK HT1628