India is facing significant environmental challenges, especially in the water sector. The pollution of the country's lifeblood, the Ganges river, has been a wake-up call for the Indian authorities and its people. Denmark might just be part of the solution.

The Danish Minister of Environment and Food, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, will travel to India from the 17th-19th January, where he, together with the Indian authorities and a number of Danish companies, will explore how Denmark could assist in decontaminating the country’s rivers.

The environmental consequences of India's rapid growth and increasing welfare is reflected in the severe environmental problems facing the country – where urban areas are particularly affected. In addition, there is increasing pressure on already scarce water resources and outdated infrastructure.

"Denmark is a leading global actor in the water technology space, including wastewater treatment and the utilisation of existing water resources. With this knowledge and capability, it is Denmark's obligation and responsibility to use our expertise in the places that need it" said the Danish Minister of Environment and Food, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen.

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Strengthening Indian-Danish collaboration

Danish environmental regulation, environmental technology and knowledge can help curb the extensive pollution of India’s waters. At the same time, the Minister's visit to India can contribute to an increased commercial relationship with India.

A new growth advisor at the Danish Embassy in Delhi will be appointed, who will have responsibility for strengthening the official state collaboration in the water sector between Denmark and India.

The official cooperation with the Indian authorities will be based on the renewal of an existing environmental cooperation agreement, which the Danish government entered into with the Indian Ministry of Environment in 2009.

On 17 January, the Minister for the Environment and Food will attend meetings with Indian ministers that are responsible for the food and the environment portfolios, after which he will participate in the business conference Vibrant Gujarat on January 18 with the Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen. On January 19, he will attend the Water Technology Seminar and visit the offices of the Danish wind turbine company Vestas in Gujarat on a site visit.

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Facts:

• India is one of the world's fastest-growing emerging markets with annual growth rates of six to eight per cent. Significant public investment in the coming years will be made, especially in the water sector.
• In 2017, Danish exports to India were just under EUR 1.5 billion, of which transport accounted for almost EUR 1 billion, while machines and pharmaceuticals accounted for EUR 0.3 billion.
• The Danish Environmental Protection Agency contributes to a concrete collaboration on water-efficient food processing based on a Carlsberg brewery in India. The project will bring together private and public expertise from technology providers, universities, consulting engineers and authorities.
• An environmental workgroup has been established with the Indian authorities and the Danish EPA is currently developing the framework conditions for the cooperation.

-Source: The Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark