Sweden to help Maharashtra cut air pollution

May 03, 2017

Sweden is keen to collaborate with Maharashtra on waste management, smart cities, and renewable energy.

The state government is likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Swedish government with an aim to manage waste in Maharashtra and to decrease the effect of global warming.

Deputy minister of environment and climate change of Sweden Eva Svedling visited the dumping ground in Mumbai and proposed to curb air pollution in the city and country.

Ms Svedling visited Mumbai on Tuesday to discuss climate policy and potential collaboration with Maharashtra for a sustainable environmental solution.

Ms Svedling met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and minister for environment Ramdas Kadam. Sweden is introducing a new climate law promising zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and a 70 per cent cut to emissions from the domestic transport sector by 2030.

The law will be effective from January 1, next year. India is the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

Ms Svedling visited Deonar dumping ground and met female workers and volunteers of Stree Mukti Sanghatana (SMS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) engaged in creating awareness among local housing society residents about segregation of waste.

Speaking about her visit to Mumbai, Ms Svedling said “I have learnt and seen first-hand the potential and opportunities as well as the challenges faced by India, Maharashtra and Mumbai, in relation to climate change and environmental sustainability. I exchanged views with both the government of India as well as the government of Maharashtra on global climate change efforts, ongoing international negotiations and the potential for bilateral cooperation.”

When asked about the reason why Sweden aims to help India she replied, “India will be the highest populated country in few years, by helping India to go green, we will indirectly help the world to work towards the environment.”

She also added, “My visit to Mumbai is a bid to give a boost to existing collaboration on sustainable urban development, balancing the three dimensions: the economic, the social and the environmental.”

Source: The Asian Age