Germany supports the construction of large solar parks on mostly thin, desert-like areas in India with interest-loving KfW loans of around one billion euros as part of the German-Indian partnership for green and sustainable development. “The solar partnership is around six million tons of CO2 Saved, ”says Flöther. Several hundred megawatts of performance flow into the power grid – and cover the growing energy requirement of India in a sustainable way.“ When implementing the projects, we attach great importance to the transfer of international standards, so that, for example, little water is used to clean the modules and the residents are included in the projects, ”explains Flöther. In addition, Germany promotes island solutions, i.e. autonomous systems for villages that do not receive reliable supply from the public power grid, as well as solar -powered pumps to irrigate agricultural areas.
Modern waste management – fewer greenhouse gas emissions
Modern waste management can also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “In India we observe a rapidly, often unregulated urbanization. It overloads the infrastructure and makes public services in the areas of water, wastewater and waste,” says Niels Kemper, project manager for urban development in South Asia. “Garbage is deposited on illegal landfills, where it decomposes uncontrollably and releases methane, one of the most climate -damaging gases.” Sapperwater from these illegal landfills contaminate the groundwater due to environmentally harmful organic substances and heavy metals – and in a region that regularly struggles with heat waves, drought and water shortages. In addition, there is the loss of valuable resources, says Kemper.
