India and Egypt are strengthening their collaboration on environmental issues,notably in the areas of renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure,following a meeting between Indian Minister of Surroundings,Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and Egyptian Minister of Environment yasmin Fouad Awad.
India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal agency in the Indian government responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of India’s environmental and forestry policies and programmes.
India views the energy transition as a key area for increased cooperation with Egypt. Renewable energy, especially solar power, currently accounts for approximately 40% of India’s energy mix as of December 2023, according to the International Energy Agency. The country aims to achieve 50% non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.
Bhupender Yadav highlighted the interconnectedness of social, local advancement, and environmental policy, specifically referencing energy access and rural development initiatives. He also expressed interest in collaborating with Egypt on bioenergy and extended producer responsibility frameworks.
Egypt’s Environmental Affairs Agency
The Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) is the primary governmental body in Egypt responsible for environmental protection and sustainable development.It operates under the Ministry of Environment.
Egyptian Minister Yasmin Fouad Awad oversees both environmental and local development portfolios, a structure that Singh praised as facilitating integrated policy approaches. Awad welcomed the prospect of enhanced cooperation with India, recognizing the potential for shared learning and joint initiatives.
India invited Egypt to join it’s initiative focused on climate-resilient infrastructure. Details of this initiative are available on the National Disaster Management Authority website, which coordinates India’s disaster risk reduction efforts.
Solar Power in India
Solar power is a cornerstone of India’s renewable energy strategy. As of November 2023, India’s installed solar power capacity reached 73.31 GW, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.This represents a significant increase from 2014,when installed capacity was only 2.63 GW.
The meeting between the two ministers underscored a growing commitment from both Egypt and India to align climate action with sustainable development and economic growth. Both nations are signatories to the Paris Agreement and have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
