New Delhi (IANS) – India and the European Union (EU) have jointly launched two major research and innovation initiatives aimed at addressing marine plastic pollution and developing green hydrogen from waste.
These initiatives are part of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), established in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade and technology.
With a joint investment of ₹391 crore, the initiatives will support two coordinated calls for research: one focusing on Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) and the other on Waste to Green Hydrogen (W2GH). These calls are co-funded by Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme, and the Government of India.
“Collaborative research is the foundation of innovation. These initiatives will leverage the strengths of Indian and European scientists to create solutions to shared environmental challenges,” said Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Emphasizing the growing strength of the EU-India partnership, EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin noted, “These research calls under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council reflect the renewed dynamism of our collaboration, as reaffirmed by our leaders in Delhi this February.”
“By jointly addressing pressing issues like marine pollution and sustainable energy, we are advancing innovation, promoting the circular economy, and improving energy efficiency. Investing in cutting-edge technologies in these areas makes sense both economically and environmentally. We are committed to building a cleaner, more sustainable future for both India and the EU,” Delphin added.
Despite increasing global efforts, marine pollution remains a major threat to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health.
“Marine pollution is a global challenge that demands collective action. This joint initiative will help us develop advanced tools and strategies to safeguard our marine ecosystems,” said Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The second coordinated call focuses on the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, particularly through waste-to-green hydrogen technologies.
“Developing waste-to-hydrogen technologies is vital for achieving our energy transition goals. This partnership will accelerate the creation of sustainable hydrogen production methods,” said Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.