Bengal Government's Push for Green Hydrogen and Circular Economy
Key Ideas
- Bengal government is actively encouraging investors to establish green hydrogen manufacturing units to support the circular economy.
- A green hydrogen policy has been introduced, aligning with the state's focus on green industry development and renewable energy.
- Plans for a recycling unit for electronic waste management are in progress, emphasizing the importance of a circular economy.
- Industry professionals highlight the need for coordinated policies, incentives, and enforcement mechanisms to boost the circular economy.
During the 18th Environment Partnership Summit in Kolkata, State Industry and Commerce Minister Shashi Panja announced the Bengal government's initiatives to attract investors for setting up green hydrogen manufacturing units. The state has already unveiled a green hydrogen policy during the previous Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) in 2023. Minister Panja emphasized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's commitment to fostering green industry by offering incentives to manufacturers. The government's strategic focus now includes the development of a circular economy, with an emphasis on green manufacturing and renewable energy across various sectors. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a recycling unit for electronic waste management to further support sustainability efforts. Sanjay Budhia, the managing director of Patton, stressed the essential nature of a circular economy and advocated for cohesive policies, aligned incentives, and effective enforcement mechanisms to expedite its implementation.