Joint Capacity Development Project under EU–Asia link Programme
The EU-Asia Pro Eco II Programme is a regional co-operation programme between Asia and the EU within the realm of the environment. In order to tackle the most environmental issues which may have a negative impact on the welfare and health of the increasing numbers of Asian city dwellers, this programme has adopted an urban focus which builds upon the environmental achievements of two earlier programmes : EU-Asia Pro Eco and EUAsia Urbs I + II. The programme aims to:
* Enhance capacities to improve the existing environmental quality in urban context, and plan for new or expanding settlements in a sustainable way
* Improve mutual understanding and awareness by and between stakeholders and local urban communities in Europe and Asia environmental issues
* Facilitate local implementation of international environmental agreements in different urban contexts
* Provide solutions for improved living conditions for vulnerable Asian city dwellers identified and provided
* Involve local urban populations in environmental management and planning
* Implement and exchange innovative technologies, policies, measures and techniques to address existing environmental problems that affect city or town.
Under this programme, an application to undertake a project titled “Joint Development of Clean Technologies for the Recycling of Plastics” were made jointly by Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, the University Institute of Chemical Technology (UICT), formerly known as UDCT, Mumbai University and ICPE. The Dutch Team comprising of Dr. Ir. J. M. N. Van Kasteren and Dr. Patrick van Schijndel visited Mumbai, who were taken to a representative plastic recycling plant near Mumbai. A joint proposal has been submitted to the EU Commission for approval. (Reproduced from Eco-Echoes, Vol. 6 Issue-1, ICPE News Letter)