Lok Sabha Question No. 3711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-24
Subject: Promotion of Eco-friendly Innovations
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri  Chhotelal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3711

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2025

## Promotion of Eco-friendly Innovations

## 3711.  SHRI CHHOTELAL:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that many industries/startups want to develop ecofriendly  innovation  but  face  challenges  due  to  the  lack  of  financial  support  and technical resources; and
- (b) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to promote eco-friendly innovation and green technologies?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) and (b). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified Ecomark Rules, 2024 on 26 th   September 2024 which have replaced the Ecomark Scheme of 1991 with aim to strengthen the institutional structure and implementation of Ecomark Rules.

The  objective  of  the  rules  is  to  encourage  the  demand  for  environment-friendly products,  promote  lower  energy  consumption,  resource  efficiency  and  circular economy.  These  rules  seek  to  ensure  accurate  labelling  and  prevent  misleading information on green products.

Ecomark aligns with the Mission 'LiFE' enabling individuals to be environmentally informed and conscious in making purchasing choices promoting recycling, use of environmental friendly products, incentivizing manufacturers to adopt green industry practices, and thus contributing to sustainable living.

Ecomark Rules are voluntary and intend to encourage manufacturers for production of environment friendly products, and promote green industries.

Department  for  Promotion  of  Industry  and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT),  Ministry  of Commerce and Industry launched the Startup India initiative on 16 th January 2016, with  an  intent  to  build  a  strong  ecosystem  for  nurturing  innovation,  startups  and encouraging investments in the startup ecosystem of the country.

Under Startup India initiative, the Government constantly undertakes various efforts for the development and growth of startup ecosystem across industries and sectors. The flagship Schemes namely, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) support startups at various stages of their business cycle. The Government also implements periodic exercises and programs including States' Startup Ranking, National Startup Awards,  and  Innovation  Week  which  play  an  important  role  in  the  holistic development  of  the  startup  ecosystem.  Government  also  encourages  and  support ecosystem led initiatives as Startup Mahakumbh which serve as a vibrant platform for stakeholders  to  network  and  collaborate.  Initiatives  to  improve  market  access  and enable public procurement support startups in growing and scaling up their businesses have also been undertaken.

Digital platforms such as the Startup India portal and BHASKAR enable easy access to resources and startup ecosystem collaboration. These measures are complemented by regulatory reforms and other ecosystem development events and programs.

Sustained efforts by the Government under the Startup India initiative have led to an increase in the number of entities which have been recognised startups by DPIIT to 1,61,150 as on 31 st January 2025 across multiple industries and sectors. Specifically, 3,362 entities have been recognised as startups in the 'Green Technology' industry as on 31 st January 2025.

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