India and Sweden Strengthen Partnership for Green Transition Ahead of COP 29

As global leaders prepare for the upcoming climate summit conference of the parties (COP 29), India and Sweden are boosting their collaboration to advance industrial decarbonisation and accelerate the green transition at the ‘India Sweden Innovation Day 2024’.

Both the countries expressed their commitment to report on the progress of their joint green initiatives at COP 30, where the prime ministers of India and Sweden are scheduled to meet.

The event featured discussions based on its theme, "Accelerating Green Growth for Inclusive Transition,” with experts from both countries exploring the role of joint innovation and technological collaboration in positioning India and Sweden as key players in global climate action.

Highlighting the common goal and the considerable possibility for both countries to become top innovators worldwide, Jitendra Singh, Minister for Science and Technology, Government of India, said, “Sweden ranks 2nd among 39 European economies and 133 global economies on the Global Innovation Index, while India leads the 10 economies of Central Asia and ranks 39th globally."

This shows the ample potential for partnering in research, academia, innovation and industrial entrepreneurship, including startups, between our countries, he said.

Further reflecting on the collaborative relationship, Ebba Busch, Vice PM of Sweden said, India, with its young population and fast-growing economy, boasts one of the largest startup ecosystems globally. India has over 75,000 startups and 100 unicorns. Busch is also the Minister and Enterprise in the Government of Sweden. Alongside Sweden’s global leadership in innovation, this partnership makes us an unbeatable ally as we advance towards our net zero commitments, she said.

The speeches given by Busch and Singh emphasised the important role of the India-Sweden partnership in promoting industrial decarbonisation. The two leaders laid out a thorough plan, emphasising short-term steps leading to COP 29 and a sustainable vision for outcomes at COP 30.

As COP 29 nears, both nations will implement shared structures and regulations to promote advancements in green manufacturing, energy efficiency and sustainable urban development. The upcoming year before COP 30 will be vital for turning these plans into real-world results that support worldwide climate goals.