EU-India Partnership for Environmental Innovation: Marine Pollution and Hydrogen Solutions
Key Ideas
- EU and India announce €41 million research calls under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) for Marine Plastic Litter and Waste-to-Renewable Hydrogen solutions.
- The calls aim to address environmental challenges, combat marine pollution, and develop efficient methods for hydrogen production, aligning with global commitments and policies.
- The EU-India TTC promotes economic development, democratic values, and practical partnership through collaboration among researchers, startups, and industries.
- Future calls are planned for battery recycling (2026) and cooperation on wastewater treatment, further enhancing the EU-India environmental innovation agenda.
The European Union (EU) and India have jointly announced two research and innovation calls under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC), totaling €41 million (₹394 crore). The calls focus on addressing major environmental challenges and developing scalable technological solutions with global impact. The first call targets combatting marine pollution, specifically marine plastic litter, by seeking innovative solutions to monitor, assess, and mitigate various pollutants. Co-funded by the EU and India's Ministry of Earth Sciences, the research aims to support international commitments and policies on ocean conservation. The second call aims to develop waste-to-renewable hydrogen technologies to produce hydrogen efficiently, cost-effectively, and environmentally friendly. Co-funded by the EU and India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, this initiative aligns with the transition to clean energy. The EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) serves as a platform to strengthen the bilateral partnership on trade, technology, and innovation, reflecting the growing alignment between the EU and India. By bringing together researchers, startups, and industries, these calls reinforce the EU-India Partnership and promote economic development while upholding shared democratic values. Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, highlighted the importance of investing in solutions that benefit people and the planet, emphasizing the true essence of a focused and practical partnership rooted in common values.