6 October 2015: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their joint determination to boost clean energy and reach “an ambitious, comprehensive and equitable climate agreement” at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in December 2015, during the third Inter-Governmental Consultations between India and Germany, held in New Delhi, India, on 5 October 2015.

In a ‘Joint Statement on Cooperation in Climate Change and Energy Technology,’ the two leaders expressed: support for developing climate-friendly, efficient and sustainable solutions for India’s expanding energy needs; and satisfaction with the implementation of the ‘Green Energy Corridors’ project, which has been expanded by 400 million Euro to fund electric transmission system investments in India. Germany will also help India meet its renewable energy target under the ‘Solar Partnership’ with one billion Euros over the next five years to improve access to clean energy in rural areas in India.

In the statement, the two sides also welcome the work of the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) as the main forum for discussions on the Indo-German Energy agenda, agree to enhance its strategic dimension and private sector involvement, and decide to hold the next IGEF meeting in Germany in 2016. They further: underline that adaptation must be a central part of a Paris Agreement; indicate that they will explore opportunities in enhancing cooperation regarding climate risk insurance; and reiterate the commitment by developed countries to jointly mobilize US$100 billion from public and private sources per year by 2020 to developing countries.

The statement also discusses: the launch of the Indo-German Working Group on Climate Change under the IGEF in order to further climate policy dialogue and exchange views regarding the transition by both countries to low-carbon economies and associated sustainable development co-benefits; the decision to establish an Indo-German Climate and Renewable Alliance, to harness technology, innovation and finance in order to make affordable, clean and renewable energy accessible to all; the importance of support to state and city level entities to harness new technologies, policies, financing mechanisms and economic incentives to reduce emissions; and collaboration to strengthen climate-friendly urban development, including through climate-friendly urban mobility and energy efficiency in the housing sector. [UNFCCC Press Release] [Joint Statement on Cooperation in Climate Change and Energy Technology]