India, EU Unite for ₹391 Cr Research Push on Marine Pollution and Green Hydrogen

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th May: India and the European Union have launched two major joint research and innovation initiatives aimed at addressing pressing global environmental challenges — marine plastic litter and waste-to-green hydrogen technologies. The collaborative effort, initiated under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), involves a combined investment of ₹391 crore (approximately €41 million), co-funded by the Government of India and the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.

The TTC, established in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, serves as a strategic platform to strengthen bilateral cooperation on trade and technology. The latest initiative marks a significant leap forward in the partnership, promoting sustainability, scientific collaboration, and circular economy principles.

The first coordinated call focuses on combating marine pollution, with a specific emphasis on marine plastic litter. Despite global attention, marine pollution remains a persistent threat to ecosystems and human health. The initiative is being supported by India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences and the EU, with a total budget of ₹205 crore (~€21.3 million). It seeks to fund innovative solutions to detect, assess, and mitigate pollutants such as microplastics, heavy metals, and persistent organic compounds. The research will support the objectives of India’s National Marine Litter Policy and the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan.

“Marine pollution is a global concern that requires collective action. This joint call will enable us to develop advanced tools and strategies to protect our marine ecosystems,” said Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.

The second call targets sustainable energy development through waste-to-green hydrogen technologies. With ₹186 crore (~€19.3 million) in joint funding from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the EU, the initiative aims to develop cost-effective, low-emission hydrogen production methods using biogenic waste such as agricultural residue, sewage sludge, and municipal waste. The project aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and the EU’s Hydrogen Strategy.

“Advancing waste-to-hydrogen technologies is crucial for our energy transition goals. This collaboration will accelerate the development of sustainable hydrogen production methods,” stated Mr. Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, remarked, “Collaborative research is the cornerstone of innovation. These initiatives will harness the strengths of both Indian and European researchers to address our shared environmental challenges.”

EU Ambassador to India, H.E. Hervé Delphin, noted that the joint calls reflect the growing momentum of the EU-India partnership. “By tackling concrete issues like marine pollution and sustainable energy together, we’re driving innovation, circular economy and energy efficiency. Development of cutting-edge technologies in these areas makes both economic and environmental sense.”

The marine pollution call opened on May 6, 2025, while the green hydrogen call began on May 15, 2025. Interested researchers, startups, and industries from both regions can apply through the official portals of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Together, these initiatives aim to produce scalable, impactful solutions that strengthen India-EU cooperation, contribute to global environmental goals, and accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future.