India and Germany on May 2, 2022, signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Forest Landscape Restoration between India and Germany. The Declaration signed virtually, is one of the deliverables of the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is presently on a three-nation visit to Germany, Denmark, and France. During the first leg of the official tour, he stopped in Berlin, Germany on May 2.
Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI)on Forest Landscape Restoration
Climate change has become a global concern and its impact can be seen everywhere. This includes rapid melting of ice caps and increased cases of cyclones, heavy rainfall, and more. The Joint Declaration of Intent on Forest Landscape Restoration aims to help in strengthening Indo-German Cooperation. It will also enable both the countries to successfully partner with each other and expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of forest landscape restoration, environment, and climate change.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav termed the signing of the JDI a significant step forward. He said that the JDI between India and Germany will provide the platform to further advance partnership and support between the two nations in areas like conservation and restoration, climate protection, and conservation of biodiversity.
JDI on Indo–German Green Hydrogen Task Force
India and Germany also signed another Joint Declaration of Intent on Indo-German Hydrogen Task Force. Our country is swiftly moving to green energy sources. Moreover, India has also emerged as one of the world leaders in energy transition with the fastest rate of growth of renewable energy capacities in the world. It is being looked at as one of the most attractive destinations for investment in RE.
Under the agreement, both countries will establish an Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force to strengthen mutual cooperation in production, utilization, storage and distribution of Green Hydrogen through building enabling frameworks for projects, regulations and standards, trade and joint research and development (R&D) projects.
In the context of energy transition, India will add 500GW of non fossil fuel capacity by 2030. It is also coming out with bids for green hydrogen. Further, there is a need for developing storage for balancing RE such as pumped hydro and battery storage. It will also need large capacities of electrolysers manufacturing for green hydrogen for which India is already planning bids. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, R.K Singh invited the German industry to come and compete for developing this ecosystem in India.
Further, Germany not only appreciated India’s ambitious plans for RE expansion but also expressed interest in opportunities for investment in offshore wind farms in India. Meanwhile, India has launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission with the goal to make India the global hub of Green Hydrogen production and export.
India and Germany, both share the common goal to decarbonize their economies. Further, they are committed to developing a national green hydrogen economy. The common long-term goal is to reduce emissions and protect the environment and requires a global upscale of green hydrogen production and off-take.
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