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India and the United Kingdom will collaborate to establish the ‘NET Zero’
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1 year agoon
Innovation Virtual Centre. It was announced during the India-UK Science & Innovation Council meeting that they will collaborate to establish an India-UK “NET Zero” Innovation Virtual Centre
Innovation Virtual Centre for “NET Zero”
The India-UK “NET Zero” Innovation Virtual Centre will be established through a partnership between the two nations, it was announced during the India-UK Science & Innovation Council meeting, which was presided over by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and attended by UK Minister George Freeman.
Dr. Singh emphasised India’s impressive technological and inventive prowess, which has been acknowledged on a global scale, and stressed that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India is on its way to becoming a significant economic force. The importance of increased cooperation between the two countries in science and technology was emphasised by both leaders.
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Key Points of the ‘NET Zero‘ Innovation Virtual Centre
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised India’s determination to meet its Climate Change and Environmental targets in a timely manner during his opening remarks at the meeting, which was presided over by Co-Chair Minister Freeman. Singh noted that the country is on the fast track move.
He emphasised the close ties between India and the UK, which are exemplified by the ambitious “Roadmap 2030,” which addresses trade, education, defence, and the environment as well as health, science, and technology.
The UK’s rise to become India’s second-largest international partner in research and innovation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership was also praised by the Indian Minister.
The proposal to create an India-UK “NET Zero” Innovation Virtual Centre, which aims to bring stakeholders from both countries together to work on important focus areas like Green Hydrogen as a renewable source and Decarbonization of manufacturing processes and transportation systems, was well received by the two ministers.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised that initiatives like the India Solar Alliance and the Clean Energy Mission are leading such efforts. He also stressed that energy efficiency and renewable energy are crucial pillars of India’s net zero journey.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of continued collaboration, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed confidence that the India-UK MoU would pave the way for long-term sustainable growth by enhancing and expanding collaboration in areas of shared interest.
He concluded by saying that India’s commitment to environmental goals includes ongoing work on finding ways to reduce carbon emissions while also developing mitigation and monitoring strategies for environmental pollution.
Collaborations between India and the United Kingdom: Collaboration between multiple dimensions, institutions, and agencies in both India and the United Kingdom spans a wide range of topics, including energy security, food and agriculture, water, climate change, environmental studies, and social and cultural changes.
During the most recent India-UK virtual summit, held in May 2021, both Prime Ministers emphasised their shared commitment to expanding collaboration in science, education, research, and innovation.
The Government of India has launched a number of flagship initiatives, including the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (ICPS), Quantum Computing and Communication, National Mission on Supercomputing, Electric Mobility, Green Hydrogen, and others, that provide new opportunities for collaboration.
India is dedicated to achieving environmental goals and is actively seeking solutions to pollution and reducing carbon emissions in order to meet ambitious net zero targets.
The revival of the DST Innovate UK Industrial R&D programme will give both Indian and UK academia and industry the opportunity to collaborate on the development of newer products and processes for the economic growth of both countries. This includes the MOES-NEKTON joint research programme for marine biodiversity exploration and conservation under the Deep Ocean Mission in India, as well as the collaboration between the MOES and the UK Met Office in Weather and Climate Science.
Newer collaborations for joint R&D projects in the field of farmed animal disease and health, as well as a MOES-NERC Call in the field of solid earth hazards.
Minister Freeman has been invited to attend the G20 Research Ministers meeting in Mumbai on July 6, 2023, because India is hosting the G20 Presidency this year and is hosting a series of scientific meetings, including Science 20 (S20), Research and Innovation (RIIG), and Scientific Advisors meetings. The two Ministers were pleased with the progress made since the last SIC meeting in New Delhi, and they welcomed further bilateral S&T cooperation between the two countries.
