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METTE FREDERIKSEN, PRIME MINISTER OF DENMARK: I would like to start by saying that fighting climate change is the most important target. And, therefore, the way in front of us before we meet in Glasgow for COP 26 should be about the climate change. And we need to focus our energy to find the necessary solutions. I totally respect and I’m totally aware of there are many other discussions that are needed and many other discussions that are very important. But from now on until we meet in Glasgow for the COP 26, we need to focus entirely on the climate change and how to solve it.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: So, what about India? You have had, I think, several days, four days to discuss this issue with Prime Minister Modi and his officials. India, as we know and as you know, 70 percent of its electricity is from coal. They are on the brink of a energy crisis. And so far, it’s generally taken that they’re not meeting their carbon emission goals. What have you been able to say to the prime minister? And have you come away with anything concrete that you can take to COP?
FREDERIKSEN: Yes, indeed, it has been a very good visit, not only for India and Denmark and our bilateral relationship, but also for the climate. First of all, I would like to say that, with the IPCC report, it should be very clear for all of us in the entire world that we have to act now, and we have to make the changes faster than what we thought. We are in a very difficult situation, but also a situation with possibilities. And our responsibilities as leaders of the world is to show our population and especially our children and young people that we are able to ensure a green transition, and, at the same time, support economic growth. And both things are needed in a country like India. When you ask me, what are the concrete results and do I believe that India will be able to answer the questions and to reach the ambitious targets that India has set when it comes to renewables and the Paris agreement, the answer is actually yes, because what we see now is a very ambitious Indian government, who really wants to transform electricity and the use of power into green electricity with renewables.
About This Episode EXPAND
Michel Barnier, the EU’s unflappable Brexit negotiator, has laid out his experience in a new book called “My Secret Brexit Diary.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is on a state visit in New Delhi now, to convey the urgency of the climate crisis. In its 138-year history, the Metropolitan Opera has never hosted a performance by a Black composer — until now.
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