Context: Recently, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the French Minister for Ecological Transition launched the Indo-French Year of the Environment.
Key Points

• In a bilateral meeting between the French delegation and their Indian counterpart at the Environment Ministry, the two sides discussed issues related to climate change, biodiversity, blue economy, international solar alliance, cooperation in eliminating single-use plastic etc.
• The basic objective is to strengthen Indo-French cooperation in sustainable development, increase the effectiveness of actions in favour of global environment protection and give them greater visibility.
• It is also a platform for engaging in discussions on critical areas of collaboration relating to environment and allied areas.
• From the Indian side, it will be coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) along with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and other concerned Ministries/Departments/Organisations.
• A joint screening committee will also be set up to finalise the calendar of the events for the Indo-French Year of the Environment.

Background

• India has achieved 26% of reduction of emission intensity.
• As of 2020 the renewable capacity in India stands at 90 GW which includes 36 GW of solar energy & 38 GW of wind energy. 

Indo-French Year of the Environment
It would be based on five main themes over the period 2021-2022

• Environmental protection
• Climate change
• Biodiversity conservation
• Sustainable urban development
• Development of renewable energies and energy efficiency