India-EU to strengthen cooperation in Environment, Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy
India and The European Union (EU) today agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of environment, resource efficiency and circular economy under the Resource Efficiency Initiative (EU-REI) for India.The necessity of moving to a resource efficient 'circular economy' wherein waste is reduced, or becomes useful inputs in others, or renewable inputs replace non-renewable ones was discussed during the 8th EU-India Environment Forum. The Forum has been organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC),EU Delegation in India, with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and consultants Adelphi.
The Environment Forum brought together policy-makers, industry associations, academia, research organizations, civil society and the first national resource panel in the world – Indian Resource Panel, to gather insights from the Indian and EU experts on the benefits of RE, resource productivity through policy coherence, secondary resource management, business models, eco-innovation and on economic instruments to foster resource efficiency.
The Resource Efficiency Initiative (REI) project will be implemented on behalf of the European Union by a consortium led by Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII) and Adelphi. The project objectives includes assessment of India’s current and future use of resources and develop a resource efficiency strategy for India in four sectors: mobility (emphasis on hybrid/electric vehicles); buildings and construction; renewable energy (focus on solar photovoltaic); and, plastic and e-waste management consistent with its overall policy framework. The project also aims to foster business partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer between European and Indian industry, and raise awareness of best-practices in resource efficiency among businesses, the general public, and government and non-government organizations.
Addressing the Forum, Mr. A.N. Jha, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that the EU had demonstrated good planning, new technology and the involvement of stakeholders to transform the industrial and urban landscapes for the better and more sustainable. They added that India was preparing its own campaign to develop a resource efficiency strategy. Experience sharing with European experts besides exchange of best practices would be of immense help in this regard.
Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Director for Global Sustainable Development, Environment Directorate-General, European Commission said that Market-based incentives and eco-innovation, "will create new and exciting products, services and job opportunities in India".
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