A new joint research cooperation on waste-to-hydrogen has been set up between the EU and India, in order to work towards supporting clean technologies.

When it comes to waste-to-hydrogen, the parties have agreed that the focus will remain on the development of technologies that have greater efficiency, in order to make it possible to produce hydrogen from biogenic wastes. On top of this, the parties will also focus on figuring out ways of enhancing collaboration, through the use of hydrogen-related safety standards.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that, ‘Europe and India are both looking to diversify critical value chains.’

Right now the Indian government is aiming to reach five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen every year by 2030. To do this, the government will be supported by an associated renewable energy capacity, which will reach an estimated 125 gigawatts.

Von der Leyen said that, ‘The ambitious India–Middle East–Europe corridor, launched in New Delhi in 2023 during India’s G20 Presidency, can be a “modern golden road”, directly connecting India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe, featuring a rail link, electricity cable and clean hydrogen pipeline.’ She added, “This corridor is much more than ‘just’ a railway or a cable. It is a green and digital bridge across continents and civilisations. And it can help bring us closer together and boost trade on everything from batteries to clean hydrogen and digital services.”

She continued, “From our side this is for example the case on batteries or pharma, semiconductors, clean hydrogen or defence,” and also said that, ‘the EU is India’s largest trading partner, ahead of the US and China.’

Von der Leyen continued, “But we could do so much more by improving market access and tackling the barriers to trade. And I believe this can be a launchpad to strengthen cooperation in key sectors which will drive the global economy.”

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Puri, commented that ‘the hydrogen target was “very conservative”.’