US-India To Showcase Shared Successes On Global Climate Change

October 30, 2002

NEW DELHI - US and Indian officials will showcase bilateral cooperation between the two nations in greenhouse gas mitigation at an event entitled "Shared Successes" at Vigyan Bhavan, on October 31, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The event is being organized by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Winrock International as part of the ongoing Eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) in New Delhi.

Power Secretary R.V. Shahi will speak for the Government of India and Richard Edwards, Director of USAID's Office of Environment, Energy, and Enterprise, will represent the US. USAID has also prepared a compendium of US Government activities in India on climate change, "US-India Cooperation on Global Climate Change," that will be made available at the event.

The United States has been one of the world's foremost promoters of research, technology transfer, and market-based approaches to mitigate global climate change. In India, USAID has led bilateral cooperation efforts with a 10-year, $39 million project in greenhouse gas pollution prevention as well as several other major initiatives. Other US government agencies, including the US Department of Energy, have sponsored activities related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, forestry, and other projects related to global climate change mitigation.

US-India collaboration has promoted public/private partnerships to address climate change while addressing the critical link between environmental protection and sustainable development. Partnerships have helped promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and demand-side management in both urban and rural areas.

Access to renewable energy has helped improve economic and social conditions in isolated rural areas. Successful joint ventures have resulted in India's first commercial electric car, the Reva, and important progress in development of electric two and three-wheelers. The US-Asia Environmental Partnership (USAEP) has brought hundreds of environmental experts together from both countries to tackle common environmental challenges and promote trade in environmental goods and services.

US Ambassador Robert D. Blackwill has stated, "The achievement in greenhouse gas mitigation in India has been possible due to broad-based support from government, industry, electric utilities, regulators, NGOs, and academia."

NOTE: Press accredited to the COP-8 are invited to cover the event, which will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2002, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Vigyan Bhawan. For more information or to confirm your attendance, please contact Raja Bhattacharya, US Embassy, at 4198818.