EU-India Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy Project Launched in Tamil Nadu

2025-03-25 07:35:58 News & Society

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Tamil Nadu has made significant strides in sustainable plastic waste management and circular economy transformation. To further support this effort, EU-India Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Initiative (EU-I RECEI) project was officially launched recently in Chennai, during a workshop. The project will focus on plastics and textiles in Tamil Nadu, promoting innovative circular economy business models that encourages uptake of recycled content, reuse solutions and plastic alternatives. It will also foster collaboration between European and Indian SMEs to develop sustainable solutions for textiles and plastics.

The project, financed jointly by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV), will be implemented by GIZ India in close cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India and key Tamil Nadu government authorities, such as the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forest (DoEFCC), Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), and Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC).

The EU-I RECEI project aims to drive sustainable modernization in India through inclusive policies and practices. Leveraging EU expertise, standards, and tools, the project fosters sustainable value chains. It also draws insights from the "Circular Economy Solutions" project, which tackles marine litter, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Government's Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests. The project aims to not only mitigate environmental and health impacts but also create new economic and job opportunities— particularly for entrepreneurs and MSMEs—through circular economy solutions.

This project was launched recently at the “Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy in Plastics – Multistakeholder Workshop” in Chennai by Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India EU. Dignitaries present during the launch were Mr. Frank DENNER, Deputy Consul General Chennai, Federal Republic of Germany in India; Mr Etienne ROLLAND-PIEGUE from Consulate General of France in Pondicherry & Chennai; Mr. Simon Bernard, Co-founder, Plastic Odyssey; Mr. Mahesh K. Patil, Chairman, Goa State Pollution Control Board; Er. Sreekala S, Chairperson, Kerala State Pollution Control Board; Mr. SØREN NØRRELUND KANNIK-MARQUARDSEN, Minister Counsellor, Director of the Trade Council South Asia and Head of Trade, Economic & Commercial Affairs, Danish Embassy, New Delhi; Mr. Gerald Guskowski, Programme Director & Cluster Coordinator, GIZ India.

Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy in Plastics – Multistakeholder Workshop

The workshop brought together key stakeholders from government agencies, industry leaders, international organizations, and civil society to discuss innovative solutions for tackling plastic pollution and promoting circular economy principles. Key topics included:
- Plastic waste management and marine litter prevention
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and successful implementation pathways
- Gender-Inclusive Waste Management Practices for a circular economy
- Global best practices: sharing experiences from the Plastic Odyssey, EU initiatives, and Tamil Nadu's waste management successes.

During the official inauguration of the project, Dr. Rachna Arora, Director Climate Change and Circular Economy, GIZ India, presented the objectives and action plan for EU-I RECEI implementation in Tamil Nadu. Circular economy and resource efficiency have become central to international cooperation. This is evident in the Sustainable Development Goals, the G20 Resource Efficiency Dialogue, and the G20 Delhi Declaration, a key outcome of India's G20 Presidency. During India's G20 Presidency, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi underscored the inter-connectedness of climate change, biodiversity, and circular economy, emphasizing the need for a circular world. He also highlighted India's initiatives, such as Mission LiFE, promoting sustainable consumption, and the Swachh Bharat Mission, enhancing urban governance.