PUNE A Swedish delegation from the Swedish Embassy in New Delhi, the Swedish Consulate General in Mumbai, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India (SCCI) and Business Sweden visited Pune on Tuesday and together emphasized sustainability and innovation as the cornerstone of a country’s policy.

An ‘Environmental Sustainability Mapping Study’ by 18 Swedish companies was commissioned by the Swedish Consulate General in Mumbai and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce India (SCCI) in collaboration with the Center for Environmental Research and Education (CERE). The primary purpose of the study is to understand how Swedish companies operating in Maharashtra and Gujarat are involved in green transition and to make recommendations to promote the agenda. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Swedish Consulate General in Mumbai and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce.

Anna Lekvall, Swedish Consul General in Mumbai said: “The green transition and climate measures are a high priority for Sweden and it is encouraging that the local Swedish companies show leadership and commitment to sustainability. We have completed the first of its kind sustainability survey of Swedish companies in Maharashtra “and Gujarat, who will further support and strengthen cooperation in the future. We are very pleased with the sustainability project being carried out here in India. In challenging times, Indian-Swedish relations have been strengthened.”

The study highlighted how Swedish companies in western India have actively promoted sustainability and shown leadership in environmental management with initiatives such as switching to renewable energy and electric mobility, implementing energy efficiency, investing in green buildings, promoting water saving and integrating a green transition across value chains.

Sara Larsson, head of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India (SCCI), said: “Working together on environmental sustainability can increase learning, enable local solutions and speed up the transition process. As a next step, Team Sweden aims to promote knowledge exchange, capacity building and collaboration on environmental sustainability between companies, academia and research institutions. “

According to Ambassador Klas Molin, more than half of Sweden’s GDP is exported. “When it comes to Sweden’s footprint, Pune was selected early on as a manufacturing base, encouraged by the government then under Prime Minister Nehru. We are looking at long-term collaboration in science and technology in innovation. ”