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Press Release | European Union launches International Urban Cooperation Programme in India

26.04.2017
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New Delhi, 26 April, 2017 | European Union launches International Urban Cooperation Programme in India

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New Delhi, 26 April, 2017: The European Union-funded International Urban Cooperation programme (IUC) was officially launched today in India. The European Union (EU) funded International Urban Cooperation Programme aims at strengthening the EU-India policy dialogue on sustainable urban development and climate actions through cooperation between European and Indian cities. The IUC/India programme, a part of the global IUC program which is currently operating in South East Asia, Japan, North America and Latin America, will run in India until November 2019. The programme aims to:

  • Implement and consolidate city-to-city pairing cooperation among Indian and EU cities who will work together to develop a Local Action Plans in various urban sustainable development fields such as urban mobility, waste management systems, water management schemes, urban public spaces design and planning, urban green areas and afforestation, urban services management, etc.
  • Enforce and support capacities of Indian cities in addressing the Climate Change challenges as per the Climate Action Plans and adhesion to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) which brings together the EU-led Covenants of Mayors and the UN Compact of Mayors initiatives for the largest and first-of-its-kind coalition of cities committed to fighting climate change. GCoM will set up their office in will set up their office in India shortly, providing technical and operational support to Indian cities for their climate mitigation efforts as well as adaptation needs.

H.E. Mr. Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador of the European Union to India said at the launch, "The EU is already partnering with India on concrete initiatives on the ground related to offshore wind development, solar parks and solar roof-tops, energy efficiency and smart grids. The European Investment Bank has already provided loans and credit lines for more than €1,5 billion  to support implementation of energy and climate related projects in India. The EU together with the 28 European Member States is committed to be a credible long term partner for India to work on a clean energy future, to implement climate commitments, and to support India's urban transformation".

The IUC programme operates in the framework of the main international Urban and Climate Agendas, as the Habitat III Urban Agenda, the Paris Agreement for Climate Action, and the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals. Through participation to the programme, Indian cities will be able to:

-           Contribute to achieve India's climate change commitments, through definition and implementation of their Climate Action Plans;

-           Exchange/transfer know-how and capacities with EU cities in the fields of urban sustainable development, energy efficiency and climate action;

-           Access the EU market of sustainable innovations and best practices, by the research and business sectors;

-           Obtain access to funding sources/schemes/programmes for implementation of climate actions;

 

The IUC programme will coordinate and cooperate with other cities networks (C40, UCLG, ICLEI –Local Governments for Sustainability) and relevant Government led initiatives currently operating in the country, such as the AMRUT Mission as well as the 100 Smart Cities Mission.

Mr. Ronnie Hall, Principal Adviser, Directorate-General, Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission and Mr. Philip Owen, Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission addressed the participants on the scopes and opportunities offered by the IUC Programme to Indian cities. Indian Representatives from Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy attended the event.

About the European Union (EU):

The European Union is a unique economic and political union between 28 European countries that together cover much of the European continent. The EU has the world's largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its 'Member States') are all committed to the same basic values: peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. They have set up common institutions so that decisions on matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. By creating a frontier-free single market and a single currency (the euro) which has been adopted by 19 Member States, the EU has given a significant boost to trade and employment. The EU started out as an economic cooperation, leading to the creation of a single market for good, services and people. The Union is now evolved into an organization spanning policy areas from climate, environment and health to external relations and security, justice and migration.

The EU has some of the world's highest environmental standards. Environment policy helps green the EU economy, protect nature, and safeguard the health and quality of life of people living in the EU. EU energy policy aims to ensure security of supply, competitiveness and sustainability. A European Energy Union aims to ensure secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy for EU citizens and businesses: Energy will flow freely across national borders in the EU. New technologies, energy efficiency measures and renewed infrastructure will help cut household bills, create new jobs and boost growth. Europe will become a sustainable, low-carbon and environmentally-friendly economy leading the way in renewable energy and the fight against global warming, through ambitious energy and climate targets: By 2020: Reducing greenhouse gases by at least 20% (Compared to 1990 levels); 20% of energy from renewable sources; 20% energy efficiency improvement. By 2030: 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; At least 27% EU energy from renewables; Increase energy efficiency by 27-30%; 15% electricity interconnection. By 2050: 80-95% cut in greenhouse gases.

EU-India Relations

For over 50 years the EU and India have worked together to reduce poverty, prevent disasters, expand trade, and promote joint research in energy, health, agriculture and many other fields of mutual interest.

At the most recent meeting of leaders at the EU India Summit in Brussels last March, attended by European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Clade Juncker and Prime Minister Modi both sides agreed to step up cooperation in security matters, trade and investment, research and agreed the India-EU Water Partnership and the India-EU Clem Energy & Climate Partnership. 

More information at: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india

For press enquiries: Poonam Kapila-Poonam.kapila@eeas.europa.eu ; 9910822339

 

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