UK/India relationship and low carbon growth

Low carbon growth should be at the centre of the UK’s special partnership with India, Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said on 30^th July 2010 as he addressed Indian and British companies.

Mr Barker was speaking in New Delhi as he accompanied Prime Minister David Cameron on his first official trip to the country.

Both countries have agreed to work together to help the Indian economy grown in a more energy efficient way, cutting emissions and helping businesses reduce their reliance on energy. The energy intensity of India’s economy improved by a third between 1990 and 2007, making it more efficient than the US or China.

India has pledged to further reduce the emission intensity of its economy by 20 – 25% by 2020 and already boosts some of the world’s most energy efficient factories and is working to improve the less efficient factories in each energy intensive sector.

The agreement is to share experience on trading schemed and kick start the market to channel investment into industrial energy efficiency. The initiative was agreed with Indian Power Minister Shri Sushil Shinde.

Comments from Climate Change and Energy Minister Greg Barker

‘The new government is determined to bring a fresh approach to the climate debate. Last year in the run up to Copenhagen the UK lectured India on climate isues, despite the fact that 450 million people still don’t have electricity.

‘It’s now time to stop preaching, start listening and get on with practical solutions which will tackle both poverty and climate change and create real green business opportunities.’

The Minister also meet civil society and businesses developing innovative solutions to India’s energy security and climate change challenges during his two day tour of the country.

Travelling out with senior business figures from the UK, he also visited the Tata BP solar manufacturing plant in the southern city of Bangalore to see how India manufacturers are scaling up investment in green technologies of the future.

An innovative project between the UK and Indian Government to tackle deforestation was also set in motion which will look at the opportunity and scope of restoring forests which will benefit the climate, biodiversity and local communities.

Department of Energy and Climate Change

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/30072010/uk_india_relationship_and_low_carbon_growth/