As the United States scales back its global climate commitments, the European Union is shifting its focus to work more closely with India to tackle climate challenges. Five European Union climate envoys, including from the European External Action Service and Germany, are currently visiting India to prepare for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil in November. The German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, expressed regret over the US withdrawal from the international climate policy and emphasized the need for the EU and India to “sit closer together and join hands” to address climate challenges.
The envoys are engaged in talks with the Indian government to prepare common ideas and identify areas of overlap ahead of COP30. Ackermann highlighted the importance of comparison and finding agreements, as well as addressing disagreements. The EU is committed to collaboration at a time when global uncertainty is prompting some nations to turn inward.
The EU aims to leverage India’s rapid progress in renewable energy and its own commitment to climate action through the Green Deal. The two sides are discussing collaboration on clean energy, supply chains, and sustainable mobility, as well as financial and policy reforms to support global climate goals. Private sector investment and structured dialogues are also seen as key to accelerating climate action.
The EU envoys are emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the two regions, citing India’s potential for innovation in clean tech and the EU’s commitment to staying the course of its clean transition. They believe that by walking together, India and the EU can achieve a lot in the clean energy transition and make progress towards global climate goals. The envoys’ visit is seen as a crucial moment for the EU and India to strengthen their partnership and make a joint push for climate action on the global stage.