GovWire

• COP26 President Alok Sharma will meet with key ministers and climate leaders involved in the implementation of Indias ambitious COP26 commitments

• He will visit a solar research facility to see renewable energy generation in action as he continues to press for global delivery of the Glasgow Climate Pact

• The COP President will meet local communities and hear first-hand accounts of those living and working outdoors following the searing heatwaves across India

COP26 President Alok Sharma will travel to India from 21-22 July 2022. The visit is an opportunity to again engage with India on climate policy as well as strengthen and support progress and delivery of the Glasgow Climate Pact, following COP26 in Glasgow and in the run up to Indias G20 Presidency.

On his third visit to the country as COP President, Alok Sharma will continue the work of the UK COP Presidency in pressing for updated climate commitments from all countries, as he meets with senior ministers and climate and energy leaders to discuss Indias ambitious climate plans and progress on smart grid upgrades, electric vehicles and affordable energy storage.

Mr Sharma will travel to the International Solar Alliance (ISA) headquarters at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus in Delhi. There, he will witness renewable energy generation in action, and discuss how to further advance the Green Grids Initiative - One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG), a product of UK-India partnership focused on strengthening global support for green power infrastructure.

While in Delhi Mr Sharma will attend a joint launch of UK-India initiatives on electric mobility, hosted by apex Government of India think-tank NITI Aayog. The partnership between the UK Government and NITI Aayog has been instrumental in taking forward Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) initiatives launched under the UKs COP26 Presidency. He will visit the Centre for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to hear an update on progress since COP26 and discuss future plans.

As record heatwaves are recorded in India, Mr Sharma will also meet with the local community to hear how climate change is impacting them directly and understand how extreme heat affects their livelihoods in the city.

Alok Sharma, COP26 President, said:

Indias green transition is gathering pace, with an increasing slate of renewables and commitments to phase down fossil fuel based energy. I have previously commended India on its emissions reduction targets and truly believe that delivery of its commitments will have a major positive impact.

The UK continues to stand side-by-side with India as it progresses to a low carbon, self-sufficient future. At this critical juncture ahead of COP27 and the NDC Synthesis Report deadline, I am eager to explore how the UK can further support India in translating its COP26 commitments into action.

After his visit to India, the COP President will travel to Australia, then on to Fiji, to engage with governments, states, businesses and civil society in support for stronger climate action ahead of COP27 in Egypt.

ENDS

Background

• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched in 2015 jointly by India and France to scale up deployment of solar energy. There are now over 100 member countries, including the UK, which sits on the ISAs Steering Committee as Vice President of the Europe and Others region. Please visit the ISA website for more information.

• The Green Grids Initiative (GGI) was adopted by the UK Government in the build up to COP26 and formed a key initiative as part of the wider Energy Transition Campaign. As agreed in the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations, Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson launched the Green Grids Initiative One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG) at COP26, and accompanying One Sun Declaration, which was endorsed by over 90 countries. In April 2022, the PMs agreed to champion this initiative under Indias upcoming G20 Presidency. Please visit the COP26 website for more information.

• The Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Council (ZEVTC) is a ZEV initiative established by the UKs COP Presidency, bringing together governments of the worlds largest car markets to work together to accelerate the transition. At COP26, the ZEVTC set out four priorities in its Action Plan:

  • pace of the transition and technology choices for zero emission heavy duty vehicles
  • charging infrastructure;
  • CO2 or fuel efficiency standards and regulations;
  • ensuring the ZEV transition is truly
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