A hybrid exchange event on ‘Best Available Techniques (BAT) for the Textiles Industry’ project.
On the occasion of the visit of the Ms Steffi Lemke, Minister of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) to Chennai, a Hybrid Exchange Event on “Best Available Techniques (BAT) for the Textiles Industry” took place on 27 July 2023. During the event, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Gujarat State Pollution Control Board (GPCB), the environmental protection agencies at national and state (Gujarat) level in India presented their process-oriented and participatory approach to organize information sharing, collect data, and produce the BAT reference documents (BREFs) that will help improve environmental compliance in the country’s textile industry. During the event a poster about the project and expected results was also released.
Textile production in Tamil Nadu
Chennai is located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where about 35 percent of India’s textile production takes place. A large part is intended for export, including to Germany.
Successful Indo-German cooperation for more environmental protection
Since 2019, Germany has been supporting India for developing the BREF/COINDS document for the Textile Sector in India, under the Indo-German Development Cooperation. The German know-how is brought to India through GIZ and the German Environmental Agency (UBA). Under the ongoing Indo German Development Cooperation, GIZ, together with its partners, is implementing the project for “Best Available Techniques (BAT) for selected industrial sectors” on behalf of the BMUV Export Initiative Environmental Protection.
Pilot project: Participatory approach for BREFs for the textile industry.
The participatory, process-oriented approach was piloted in the preparation of the BREF documents for textile production. Once completed, the BREF process will be replicated to other priority industrial sectors. In this way, the joint efforts will also contribute to greater environmental protection and efficient use of resources. The project module also aims at developing the necessary knowledge and capacities of the selected environmental authorities at the National and State levels, and various stakeholders involved.
“We appreciate the cooperation with Germany in the development of the BAT reference documents (BREFs), which enable a higher acceptance of environmental standards in the industry. We look forward to continued support in developing such guidance for other important industries such as pharmaceuticals, thermal power plants, tanneries and foundries,” said Mr. N. Subramanian, Joint Director at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.
This initiative aims to promote cleaner and greener practices in one of the world’s largest textile manufacturing hubs and improve environmental compliance in the sector. This comprehensive document provides guidance and best practices for reducing environmental impact and improving sustainability in textile production.
With the joint efforts, the project aims at laying the groundwork for piloting the application of best available techniques in the textile sector by supporting in developing BAT Reference Documents for the textiles sector at national level and for the State of Gujarat thus lowering environmental impacts and ensuring efficient use of resources.
Date
27 July 2023
Location
Chennai, India
Contact Person
Raghu Babu Nukala
