India-Finland Partnership on Sustainability and Energy

 Setting up a Governmental Working Group

India and Finland are collaborating to establish a governmental working group focused on sustainability. The group aims to enhance cooperation on energy matters, with Finland actively investing in biofuels and renewable energy projects in India. India, the proposer of the group, will be represented by ministries like Environment, Power and Renewable Energy, and Natural Gas, with possible participation from NITI Aayog.

Prioritizing Sustainability and Innovation

The working group aligns with the broader bilateral partnership's emphasis on sustainability and innovation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-Prime Minister Sanna Marin of Finland laid the groundwork for this focus during their bilateral meeting in 2021. Both countries have multiple partnerships aimed at promoting sustainable development and digitalization.

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 Finland's Energy Efforts in India

Finland's efforts in the working group will primarily concentrate on energy partnership. The country plans to build on previous endeavors, such as the upcoming bio-refinery in Assam, which will produce ethanol from bamboo. This project is a joint venture between Numaligarh Oil Refinery Ltd and Chempolis, a Finnish company specializing in bamboo-to-ethanol technology. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have also been signed with Indian corporates to replicate this model in other locations.

Path to Net Zero Emissions

These collaborative initiatives are expected to contribute significantly to India's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. Finland's new Digitalization, Education, Sustainability, Innovation (DESI) partnership aims to develop smart grids and deepen cooperation on sustainability. A forum under the Finland Sustainable Business Forum will bring together corporates and experts to discuss mutual sustainability targets and foster collaborations for common solutions.

The establishment of a governmental working group between India and Finland marks a significant step towards enhancing cooperation on sustainability and energy matters. With a focus on renewable energy, biofuels, and smart grids, both countries aim to contribute to the global efforts towards sustainable development and a cleaner future. Through fruitful partnerships and mutual expertise sharing, India is on its way to achieving its ambitious net zero emissions goal by 2070, with Finland actively supporting these endeavors.