|
NEW DELHI, 3 February 2011- “Clean technologies lead the way for stronger ties between India and Finland. It’s also evident that an increasng number of Finnish companies are leaping at the opportunities India has to offer,” said Ms Paula Lehtomaki, Minister of the Environment of Finland on the occasion of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit held in New Delhi on 3-5 February 2011. The Finnish Minister attended the summit together with a delegation of Cleantech Finland comprising leading Finnish companies engaged in clean technologies. While speaking at a press conference, organized by the Cleantech Finland, Ms. Lehtomaki said: “The global challenges we are facing today can be turned into opportunities with the right technologies and know-how. What is needed is enhanced cooperation and sharing of knowledge.” The press conference was organized to discuss how Finnish technologies can contribute to creating a Green Economy. In this regard, Ms. Lehtomaki further added: “Green economy is essentially about integrating environmental aspects into all sectors of the society – and simultaneously boosting economic growth by, for example, creating new green jobs. The rapid development and introduction of clean technologies has a crucial role in creating a green economy.” Broadly speaking, clean technology has become a driver for India-Finland economic and innovation cooperation. Finland has emerged as a leader for clean technology products and solutions, and India is set to be an economic superpower. Finnish cleantech companies explore various business opportunities in India’s booming market while strengthening their cooperation with local companies. Key focus areas are water and energy. Finnish cleantech expertise can strongly contribute to the economic, social and environmental development of India. It is noteworthy that Kemira Oyj, a global leader in water chemicals, and the Promoters of IVRCL have agreed to form a joint venture in India. Besides, Kemira and Hindustan Dorr-Oliver (HDO) and IVRCL are forming a strategic alliance to serve Indian water traetment markets. IVRCL and HDO are leading water infrastructure companies in India. In Kemira’s estimation, the Indian market potential relevant to the company is about US $300 million. According to Hannu Virolainen, Senior Vice President, Industrial customer segment of Kemira Oyj: “This cooperation is well-aligned with Kemira’s strategy to grow profitably in India. Through this cooperation Kemira will have a strong manufacturing base in India and an opportunity to broaden our business. Combining Kemira’s water chemistry know-how and IVRCL’s expertise in building water infrastructure we are able to meet the rapidly growing water demand.” The Switch is a leading supplier of wind and new energy applications and it entered the Indian market just a year ago. The company regards India’s growing wind and solar power market highly attractive. The Government of India’s wind and solar power programme has been the fastest growing sector of India’s energy planning process. India’s wind power potential exceeds 45,000MW and it also possesses a large and high-potential solar energy resource. By 2022, India’s target is to have 38,500MW of installed wind power capacity and 20,000MW of solar power respectively. According to Pertti Kurttila, Vice president, Supply at Te Switch: “Through the recent deal signed by Chinese Dongfang Electric and KSK Energy of India, The Switch will be contributing to the export of 1661.5MW permanent magnetic direct-drive wind turbines to India by providing technology and key components. We are already also finalizing contracts with Indian manufacturers. We intend to be the partner of choice to our Indian customers and help them to develop India’s vast potential for clean energy.” Cleantech Finland In Finland the cleantech sector includes about 2,000 enterprises and it is highly diversified. The national objective is to develop the sector into a new cornerstone industry. Finnish cleantech companies are already global leaders in energy efficiency, clean industrial processes and bioenergy. Other key areas are measuring, analysis and automation, renewable energy, waste management as well as water and waste water treatment and air protection. About Finpro The Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 3-5 February 2011Dr Manmohan Singh Hon’ble Prime Minister of India inaugurated the 11th Delhi Sustainable Development Summitn (DSDS) organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) today at the Taj Palace Hotel. The Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) has now evolved as a major global event over the past decade, which addresses the key challenges of sustainable development and means by which this can be attained. Congratulating TERI on organizing this commendable forum which once again brought together eminent dignitaries, Nobel laureates, CEO’s and thought leaders from across the globe, Dr Manmohan Singh said, “This Summit deals with the overall theme of sustainable development, and while we focus on specific actions related to dealing with climate change, we have to be guided by the overall imperative of moving global society in the direction of sustainability in growth and development. I am optimistic that this august gathering will not only highlight India’s role as a responsible and enlightened member of the international community but will also contribution towards finding a solution to the global challenge, which impacts humanity as a whole“. Present on occasion were H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai, President Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Leonel Fernandez, President of Dominican Republic, H.E. Mr. James Alix Michel, President, Seychelles,Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Hon’ble Minister for New Renewable Energy, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests, H.E. Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Former PM of Norway, along with ministers from 19 countries, three Nobel Laureates – – Prof. Joseph Stiglitz, Professor, Columbia University, USA; Dr Yuan-Tseh Lee, President, Academia Sinica, Taiwan; and Prof. Sir James A Mirrlees, Professor of Political Economy, University of Cambridge & Master, Morningside College Chinese University of Hong Kong, and other eminent dignitaries from national and International organizations. Dr Manmohan Singh was also awarded TERI’s Sustainable Development Leadership award for 2011 for his leadership and impetus to confront climate change and leading his government to make the issue a central facet of his government. Formulation of the National Action Plan on Climate Change in 2008 was a beginning, which structured a developmental pathway in sync with ecological sustainability. Receiving the honour, Dr. Manmohan Singh said, “India has to develop rapidly to ensure a reasonable and respectable level of existence of its citizens. Growth of the Indian economy will benefit other nations too through the instrument of international. However, we all have to ensure that is made progressively. Technology, Research and environmental conscience thus holds the key“. Dr R K Pachauri, Director-General, TERI in his address said, “This edition of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS), which is being inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India really emphasizes the importance of local action and the promise it holds. He further added, ‘To meet the growing threat to the ecosystems of this planet and mounting evidence of climate change, while global actions and agreements are essential, each society must do all it can through innovation and initiatives at the local level. DSDS 2011 would focus on this imperative for dealing with problems that the world as a whole faces.” Asking the South Asian community and the world at large to unite together to deal with the impacts of climate change, H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan in his address said, “We have an important challenge ahead of us, and that is dealing the impact of climate change on the habitat and livelihoods of our people. Some counties in our region have become energy deficient while others have enormous untapped energy resources. Though we recognize that energy security is important for sustained growth in our region, we have made slow progress in power transfer, grid connectivity, and the construction of gas and oil pipelines. Afghanistan believes that the time has come for the much discussed regional energy projects to become realities. We also believe that it is time that we collaborate more effectively to tap renewable sources of energy, which our region has in abundance“ The issue of climate change and its disastrous impacts, which need immediate attention, was echoed by H.E. Dr. Leonel Fernandez, President of The Dominican Republic as well. At the inauguration, he said, “There is much work to be done around the world in order to define and implement policies and practices that allow us prevent the negative impact of natural disasters. The world of the future should not be one of irresponsible development, at the cost of fossil fuels, uncontrolled logging and other predatory actions, but sustainable progress, through the use of renewable resources“ H.E. Mr. James Alix Michel, President, Seychelles in his address said, “For small islands- climate change is a reality and its existence is felt everyday. We must act now to ensure that our islands are also the land of our children. As leaders, we must be able to tell them that we have acted to save our planet. I take the opportunity to call on the developed world to use the advanced technology at their disposal to take the lead in cutting emissions. Cutting emissions will cost. But let us ensure that it is a cost that is shared. If things remain the same, the biggest cost is borne by the poor farmer in Africa and the fishermen in our islands“ |
 |
| Advertisement |
