India and the European Union have jointly launched two major research initiatives under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), aiming to develop innovative solutions in the areas of marine pollution and green hydrogen production from waste. The projects, backed by a combined investment of ₹391 crore (approximately €41 million), mark a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in science and technology.
The TTC, established in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, serves as a platform to deepen strategic collaboration in trade and technology between India and the EU.
The first initiative focuses on tackling the pressing issue of marine plastic litter and other pollutants. Co-funded by the European Union and India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, this project aims to develop advanced tools to monitor, assess, and reduce the harmful impact of pollutants such as microplastics, heavy metals, and organic compounds on marine ecosystems. The research is expected to contribute to global commitments like the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and support national policies, including India’s National Marine Litter Policy and the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, said that collaborative research plays a pivotal role in addressing shared environmental challenges. EU Ambassador to India, Hervé Delphin, underscored that joint efforts to address marine pollution and sustainable energy underscore the growing momentum in the EU-India partnership.
Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. M. Ravichandran, remarked that marine pollution is a global concern that demands collaborative solutions, adding that this initiative will help in developing effective strategies to protect marine biodiversity.
The second initiative targets the development of sustainable hydrogen production technologies by converting biogenic waste into green hydrogen. Supported by the EU and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the project is in alignment with the EU’s Hydrogen Strategy and India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. The focus is on creating cost-effective and environmentally sustainable methods to produce hydrogen using agricultural, municipal, and industrial waste.
Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, described the partnership as a testament to the two sides’ commitment to sustainable development. Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Santosh Kumar Sarangi, noted that advancing waste-to-hydrogen technologies is key to meeting India’s clean energy goals.
Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, highlighted the scale of investment and cooperation, calling it a clear demonstration of India and the EU’s joint commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The calls for proposals under both initiatives have been officially opened this month, inviting Indian and European researchers to collaborate and contribute to the development of transformative technologies for environmental protection and renewable energy.
