Why in News?
India and Belgium signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in renewable energy and clean technologies during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s visit to India.
Key Areas of Cooperation
The MoU covers several emerging clean-energy sectors, including:
- Green hydrogen: Cooperation across production, transportation, storage and industrial applications.
- Offshore wind energy: Joint efforts to develop offshore renewable energy capabilities.
- Critical minerals: Cooperation in areas including recycling and strengthening supply chains.
- Energy storage: Collaboration on advanced energy-storage technologies.
- Bioenergy: Promoting technology and investment in bioenergy.
- Pumped hydro storage: Exploring cooperation in large-scale energy storage systems.
Other Areas of Climate Cooperation
India and Belgium also reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and its long-term temperature goals.
The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on:
- Climate adaptation and resilience
- Disaster preparedness
- Ocean conservation and governance
- Clean-technology transfer
- Climate finance for developing countries
- Biodiversity and marine conservation
Both sides also expressed support for a successful COP31, focusing on stronger implementation of climate commitments.
Significance for India
The cooperation is important for India’s twin objectives of energy security and clean-energy transition. It can help India:
- Access advanced European clean-energy technologies.
- Attract investment in renewable-energy projects.
- Diversify critical-mineral supply chains.
- Develop green hydrogen and offshore wind capabilities.
- Support progress towards its long-term net-zero emissions target.
- Strengthen cooperation with European partners in emerging energy technologies.
