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India and Denmark have strengthened their green relations through strategic partnerships aimed at addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. Their collaboration focuses on renewable energy, particularly wind power, and green technologies. Despite this progress, challenges persist, including differences in regulatory frameworks, varying levels of technological adoption, and the need for greater alignment on climate goals. Additionally, logistical and investment hurdles often slow the implementation of joint projects. Both nations continue to work towards overcoming these obstacles, driven by their shared commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation. Their ongoing dialogue is crucial for achieving tangible green outcomes.
Summer Research Intern'24
Green Diplomacy
With worldwide talk progressively centred on natural supportability and policymakers figuring it out the critical requirement for collaborative endeavours to relieve the effects of climate change the development of green diplomacy can be observed. The Paris Agreement, a landmark international agreement aimed at combating climate change, is one of the most eminent illustrations of green diplomacy, green diplomacy is a diplomatic approach that prioritises environmental concerns in worldwide relations. Moreover, green diplomacy plays a pivotal part in tending to transboundary environmental issues that transcend national borders and require facilitated activity among nations. Additionally, green diplomacy amplifies past conventional environmental issues to encompass broader sustainability challenges. For instance, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), "Life Below Water" calls for the preservation and sustainable utilisation of marine assets and environments to guarantee the wellbeing and resilience of seas and coastal communities. Through diplomatic channels, countries collaborate on initiatives to secure marine biodiversity, combat illegal fishing, diminish marine contamination, and advance sustainable ocean governance.
Tracing India Denmark's Green Journey
The cooperation between India and Denmark stands out as a noteworthy example of proactive engagement towards sustainable development among the many partnerships promoting green diplomacy. The main goals of the Denmark-India green strategic cooperation are to promote sustainable development through innovation, improve climate resilience, and advance green growth. The cooperation emphasises collaborative efforts in renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, and circular economy practices, with a focus on utilising each nation's resources and experience. According to a joint statement from the Ministry of External Affairs 2020, the two countries also hope to encourage investments in green projects, enable technology transfer, and share best practices and knowledge.
Initiatives to support environmentally friendly transportation options and sustainable urban development are two prominent examples of India and Denmark working together. In line with Denmark's experience in sustainable design, green transportation, and urban planning, the Indian government's Smart Cities Mission seeks to change urban infrastructure and services through innovation and technology (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, 2021). Danish businesses are actively engaged in the implementation of energy-efficient buildings, integrated urban planning solutions, and sustainable transportation systems in India (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark)
Denmark recently introduced the Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) program which is being led by the Danish Embassy. The initiative's main objective is to strengthen bilateral efforts to support greater usage of sustainable energy. It aims to create an ecosystem where both countries actively contribute to the growth of the green fuels industry by utilising Green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is a clean, sustainable fuel that is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy through a process called electrolysis. Collaboration between the two countries under this initiative may help consolidate diplomatic ties.
Opportunities for long-term effect
The India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership has observed increased collaboration in sustainable technology and renewable energy between 2022 and 2024. Notably, taking use of Denmark's experience and India's extensive coastline, the two nations have increased their efforts to harness offshore wind energy. India marked a major advancement in its renewable energy goals in 2023 when it revealed its ambitious intentions to build offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of 30 gigawatts by 2030 (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, 2023). Denmark, a leader in offshore wind technology, has pledged to work with India to achieve this goal through collaborations in investment, knowledge transfer, and capacity creation.
There are many avenues for reciprocal gain and shared prosperity under the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership. The potential green investment and finance is a leading prospect. There is room for cooperation in the areas of green bonds, climate funds, and clean energy financing methods because both nations are dedicated to mobilising resources for sustainable development. To help renewable energy entrepreneurs get access to funding and encourage green investments, Denmark's investment fund for green technology stated in 2022 that it will be directing a portion of its funds towards renewable energy projects in India (Danish Embassy in India, 2022).
Additionally, the relationship provides chances for collaborative research and innovation in fields like climate resilience, waste-to-energy solutions, and sustainable technology. A joint research centre on renewable energy and sustainable development was announced by Denmark and India in 2023. It will bring together government, business, and academic stakeholders to promote innovation and knowledge sharing. Breakthroughs in energy storage, climate adaptation, and renewable energy technologies are anticipated from cooperative research projects and technology alliances, which will benefit both nations and the international community.
Challenges
One of the primary challenges that the Denmark-India Green Strategic Partnership faces is aligning the two countries' legal and policy frameworks. Differences in legal frameworks, permitting procedures, and regulatory standards might obstruct cooperation and investment flows in their joint quest for advancing sustainability and renewable energy.
Effective technology transfer and creating local capacity to use green technologies provide another difficulty for the cooperation. Although Denmark has significant knowledge in fields like clean technology and offshore wind energy, exporting these technologies to India will involve overcoming obstacles pertaining to technology licensing, intellectual property rights, and talent development. Governments, academic institutions, and business sectors must work together to facilitate technology transfer, foster information exchange, and develop domestic capacity to support green growth initiatives.
Moreover, the execution of bilateral agreements and cooperative projects may be impacted by geopolitical rivalry and conflicting interests among world powers.
Sustaining long-term cooperation and accomplishing common environmental goals requires continuing diplomatic engagement, fostering understanding, and addressing geopolitical issues.
Way Forward
In spite of these concerns, it is clear that the Denmark-India Green Strategic Partnership has great potential to advance environmental innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development. India and Denmark can overcome barriers and leverage the transformative power of green diplomacy to address global environmental concerns and promote sustainable development by fostering collaboration, innovation, and dialogue. The cooperation has the potential to significantly impact the future of green diplomacy and contribute to the creation of a more resilient and sustainable world for future generations, provided that both countries leverage their unique assets and experience.
What's most intriguing, though, is the effect that this partnership is having outside of the sustainability and green technology industries. It was stated earlier this year that Denmark and India are aiming to develop a more comprehensive bilateral collaboration that will concentrate on topics like artificial intelligence and marine security. An alliance based on cooperation in the green sector cleared the way for a long-term, stronger engagement in a number of other areas of international diplomacy. It is clear proof of the potential that green diplomacy offers to the whole community.
References:
1 Charting Green Frontiers: India and Denmark as Strategic Allies, ORF
Charting Green Frontiers: India and Denmark as Strategic Allies
2 India & Denmark agree to work together on green fuels including green hydrogen | Department Of Science & Technology.
(n.d.). https://dst.gov.in/india-denmark-agree-work-together-green-fuels-including-green-hydrogen
3 Joint Statement for India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership. (n.d.). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm? dtl/33069/Joint_Statement_for_IndiaDenmark_Green_Strategic_Partnership#:~:text=Both%20is%20not%20the%2.0 holding,Urban%20Living%20 Lab%20in%20 Goa.
4 Government of India & Government of Denmark. (2021). India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership. https://indien.um.dk/en/denmark-in-india/green-strategic-partnership
5 Luthra Swati, Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership to promote sustainability globally: Minister, Livemint
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