India, EU closely aligned in fight against climate change: EU Chief

New Delhi: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union Commission, stated that India and the European Union are closely aligned in the fight against climate change, and that both are on their way to net zero emissions.

She said this while speaking at the International Solar Alliance’s headquarters in Gurugram.

“The need for clean energy was never more obvious than today.” Indeed, in India, people suffer from extreme weather, and I read that March this year was the hottest March since 122 years… adding that, at the same time, our demand for energy is dramatically rising, and India’s energy use doubled in the last two decades, and it will continue to grow” she said.

Ursula also extended her support to the Solar Alliance and praised the work being done by it and said, “The European Commission has always been and will always be a strong supporter of the International Solar Alliance since it was created at COP21 in Paris in 2015.

We can work together to improve the situation. We need to step up our cooperation. Together, we can indeed increase the economies of scale and scope in tapping the power of the sun, and we should do this through the international solar alliance, “she said.

“The International Solar Alliance is emblematic of the kind of partnership we need to make this change happen,” she added. 

Talking about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and EU dependency of Russian gas, she said, “It is a stark reminder that our dependence on Russian fossil fuel is not sustainable. This is why the European Commission will present next month a new solar strategy for the EU, as part of RePowerEU.”

“Our transition to local renewable energies is not only good for the environment, but also becomes a strategic investment in terms of security,” she added.

Noting that India and the EU are on the same path, she said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced India should be energy independent before it celebrates 100 years of its independence in 2047. She said, while the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership was adopted in 2016, the two sides can do more to improve the situation.

Union Power Minister R K Singh, who is also the President of International Solar Alliance, ISA Assembly, noted that India has taken the globally acknowledged initiative of energy transition. Mr Singh said, it is time now for all countries to come together and contribute to solve each other’s problems

Von der Leyen began her visit on Sunday by addressing a youth forum on climate change at the TERI institute in New Delhi, where she congratulated India on its “ambitious” goal of meeting half of its energy needs by 2030 with renewable energies.

“Europe is on the path to climate neutrality with the EUGreenDeal. But Europe alone won’t save our planet. It’s a global effort, and we need to work with India. And we count on you, the young people, to keep fighting for the climate, “she said.

“Under our Horizon research programme, the EU and TERI have been working on green transition projects. Our cooperation shows how committed the EU is to fighting climate change together with India, “she said.

Von der Leyen arrived in India on Sunday for a two-day official visit, her first as president of the European Commission.