Triangular cooperation between Germany, Mexico and India: Improving air quality in cities

Context

In the triangular cooperation between Germany, Mexico and India, Mexico is participating in projects that improve air quality in India. The results achieved and lessons learned from the Salamanca-Leon-Celaya-Irapuato region in Mexico are to be conveyed to the Bhubaneswar and Cuttack region in India. In this way, air pollution is to be reduced in the medium term by ten per cent in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible.

This is the first triangular cooperation project involving two emerging economies with the aim of strengthening cooperation between them and with other countries in the region.

Objective

Indian cities are able to combat air pollution more effectively, and are putting viable technical and financial solutions into practice.

Approach

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project promotes the exchange of experience between Germany, Mexico and India by means of webinars and a ‘Community of Practice’. Around 50 public employees from India, Mexico, Germany and Great Britain are involved here.

In 2020, Mexican authorities exchanged information with colleagues in India by means of webinars. In the process, they drew up the following criteria for joint projects to be implemented in India in 2022:

• Understanding of the administrative structures in Mexico and India in order to create a framework for the exchange of information.
• Analysis of data collection and information regarding air quality in both countries.
• Exchange of knowledge and best practices from air quality management in Mexico.
• Monitoring and evaluation systems with which Mexico assesses the activities carried out.
• Understanding of effective air pollution control measures and guidelines implemented in Germany and the European Union.

The ‘Breathable Cities Community of Practice’ is currently being developed to enable exchange with European cities and facilitate the implementation of projects in India.

Last update: June 2021