Indo-French Year of the Environment

12-Jan-2022: Shri Bhupender Yadav and French ambassador hold discussions to further strengthen activities in 2022 under the Indo-French Year of Environment.

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav today held a virtual meeting with H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Lenain, French Ambassador to discuss issues relating to One Ocean Summit; Cooperation on Plastic Pollution, Global Treaty on Plastics; High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ); and COP15.

In the Meeting, Shri Yadav stated that the One Ocean Summit will be an opportunity to gather political leaders and all stakeholders ready to make a decisive contribution with bold, tangible and actionable initiatives and commitments, however, India is fully determined to protect its maritime interests, while it supports the maintenance of rule-based maritime systems, as mandated under UN Convention on the Law of Seas (UNCLOS), 1982, emphasised the Environment Minister.

The Union Minister also underlined the urgent need for action to prevent and reduce marine litter, but stressed voluntary domestic action by countries.

Mr. Yadav also mentioned announcement made by our Prime Minister of India during World Environment Day 2018 for elimination of single-use plastics in India by 2022.

In the meeting, both sides also discussed in detail the issues concerning High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), and how it should not undermine existing relevant legal instruments, frameworks and relevant global, regional and sectoral bodies.

Both sides further discussed how COP 15 will help in developing a holistic Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) taking into account poverty eradication, means of implementation and resource mobilization, etc.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen activities in 2022 under the Indo-French Year of Environment.

2021

28-Jan-2021: 2021: Year of Indo-French alliance towards a Greener Planet

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar and Ms. Barbara Pompili, the French Minister for Ecological Transition launched the Indo-French Year of the Environment in New Delhi today. The basic objective is to strengthen Indo-French cooperation in sustainable development, increase the effectiveness of actions in favor of global environment protection and give them greater visibility.

Welcoming Ms. Barbara Pompili on her maiden visit to India, Shri Prakash Javadekar emphasised on the significance of India-France alliance in working towards climate change. He stated “We are the two main pillars of the International Solar Alliance 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.

“India has made significant progress towards climate change action & has already achieved 26% 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. “, informed Shri Javadekar

He further added that India looks forward to strengthen the Indo-French cooperation in sustainable development, increase the effectiveness of actions in favor of the global environment protection and give them greater visibility.

French Minister for Ecological Transition Ms. Barbara Pompili 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 countries in the field of sustainable development”, said the French Minister.

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 environment and allied areas.

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 and other concerned Ministries/Departments/Organisations. A joint screening committee will also be set up to finalise the calendar of the events for the Indo-French Year of the Environment.

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