India and EU strengthen green technology partnership, will take up joint research projects

The second meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), held in New Delhi on Friday (February 28, 2025), reaffirmed the commitment of both India and the European Union to advancing clean and green technologies. Co-chaired by Indian and European ministers and representatives, the discussions focused on achieving net-zero emissions, promoting sustainable innovations, and enhancing cross-border collaboration on environmental challenges.

India and the EU have set ambitious climate goals, with India targeting net-zero emissions by 2070 and the EU aiming for the same by 2050. Achieving these targets requires significant investment in clean technologies, standardization, and research collaboration. The TTC provides a vital platform for India and the EU to foster technological innovation and exchange best practices, ensuring that sustainable solutions are widely adopted.

To support this effort, India and the EU committed to promoting the market uptake of clean technologies through joint research and innovation (R&I) initiatives. This will create opportunities for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and incubators in both regions, ensuring that new technologies reach commercial viability and contribute to green growth.

A major outcome of the meeting was the agreement on joint research projects addressing key environmental concerns. 

India and the EU will collaborate on:

* Recycling of Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries: Research will focus on circular battery economies by developing flexible, low-cost, and easy-to-recycle battery technologies. These innovations will support the growing EV market while minimizing environmental waste.

* Marine Plastic Litter: The two sides will work together to develop advanced technologies for detecting, measuring, and mitigating plastic waste in oceans. This initiative aims to reduce pollution’s cumulative impact on marine ecosystems and contribute to global sustainability efforts.

* Waste-to-Hydrogen Technologies: Research will concentrate on improving efficiency in hydrogen production from biogenic waste.

Hydrogen is a key component of the green energy transition, and this initiative will help develop sustainable production methods with lower environmental impact.

The combined budget will be approximately EUR 60 million from the Horizon Europe program and matching Indian contributions.

Standardization is crucial for the widespread adoption of clean technologies. India and the EU agreed to collaborate on harmonizing standards for EV charging infrastructure. By engaging in cooperative research and knowledge exchange, both sides aim to ensure interoperable and efficient charging networks, supporting the global expansion of electric mobility.

Additionally, the two partners will work on enhancing safety standards for hydrogen energy. This includes developing scientific frameworks and regulatory measures that will facilitate the large-scale adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source. Wastewater treatment technologies, another focus area, will also benefit from joint research efforts, ensuring effective and sustainable management of water resources.

The TTC meeting also emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing initiatives. Indian experts participated in training programs at the Joint Research Centre’s (JRC) E-Mobility Lab in Italy, focusing on EV interoperability and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

Similarly, a hybrid workshop on EV charging technologies was conducted in collaboration with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to deepen engagement between industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

Furthermore, the meeting concluded with a Matchmaking Event to connect Indian and EU startups working on battery recycling technologies. This initiative aims to support innovation, foster collaboration, and create new business opportunities in the sustainability sector.

Beyond bilateral cooperation, India and the EU expressed their commitment to promoting clean and green technologies globally. As part of their broader environmental agenda, both sides will continue working together in multilateral forums, ensuring that international policies align with their sustainability goals.

A significant development from the meeting was the announcement of an 'Ideathon', aimed at generating practical solutions for marine plastic pollution. By involving stakeholders from government, industry, and academia, this initiative seeks to develop innovative approaches to combat environmental degradation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had established the India-EU TTC in April 2022 as a key bilateral platform to address challenges at the confluence of trade, trusted technology and security. The first meeting of the India-EU TTC was held in Brussels on 16 May 2023.

The second India-EU TTC meeting was co-chaired on the Indian side by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, Maros Šefčovič and Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekate

The discussions reaffirmed the importance of collaborative action in addressing climate change and fostering sustainable economic growth. By investing in joint research, standardization, and capacity-building initiatives, India and the EU are strengthening their role as global leaders in clean and green technologies.

With commitments in place and projects already underway, the partnership is set to drive forward the development of sustainable solutions. The next TTC meeting, scheduled within a year, will review progress and explore further avenues for cooperation in clean energy, waste management, and climate-resilient technologies.