Mumbai: Swedish deputy minister on climate Eva Svedling on Tuesday said her country was keen on collaborating with Maharashtra on issues concerning waste management, smart cities, and renewable energy.
“I exchanged views with both the governments, at the Centre and in the State, on global climate change efforts, ongoing international negotiations, and the potential for bilateral cooperation,” Ms. Svedling, who is visiting Mumbai, said.
The deputy minister also met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam to discuss possible collaboration on climate change and sustainability solutions. Speaking at the Welingkar institute of Management, where a Swedish company has set up a bio-gas plant, Ms. Svedling said, “Climate law and economic laws should go hand-in-hand to achieve optimal results in the future.”
She also dwelt into how Sweden was adopting a method of incentive-based policies, such as installations of charging stations around the country, and government subsidies to low emission vehicles.
Clean agenda
Swedish companies, Ms. Svedling said, have advanced solutions for smart energy, urban transportation, waste management and air quality. There are over a 100 Swedish companies operating in Maharsahtra that could support the clean agenda. “These companies employ over 1.8 lakh directly, and 1.3 million people indirectly,” she said.
Ms. Svedling’s visit is a follow-up to the joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven during his state visit to India last year.
“I have learnt and seen first-hand the potential and opportunities, as well as the challenges, faced by India, Maharashtra, and Mumbai, in relation to climate change and sustainability. Climate change is a top priority for our government,” Ms. Svedling said.
Local visits
The deputy minister also visited the BMC dumping ground at Govandi and took a ride on the Volvo Hybrid city bus, which operates in Navi Mumbai and saves fuel up to 40%.
Sweden has set itself long-term goals of reducing emissions by 70% by 2030, from 2010 levels, as well as becoming the first fossil fuel-free country by 2040, with net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2045.
Later in the evening, the deputy minister attended a networking dinner hosted by the Consulate General of Sweden to build new contacts and to strengthen existing relationships between the Indian government officials.
