Establishing ECAC in West Bengal

1. Establishing ECAC in West Bengal Barna Majumdar Environmental Engineer (Planning) West Bengal Pollution Control Board Department of Environment, Govt. of West Bengal ECO-Asia: Lessons-Learnt Workshop in India Replicating Innovation through Regional Networks Claridges Hotel New Delhi, India May 24, 2012

2. Presentation Outline • Brief introduction of ECAC • Lessons learnt for ECAC establishment & replication from other countries • Outcomes, benefits, successes and challenges in the implementation of ECACs • Plans and next steps: the ECAC Model – and vision

3. ECAC Background Problems of Compliance • Non-availability of reliable information on appropriate pollution control technology and dependable vendors for installing the same • Regulatory agencies cannot function as technology provider providing consultancy service • Absence of properly accredited agencies capable of supporting industries in their endeavor to comply environmental norms • Fear psychosis amongst the entrepreneurs to approach regulatory agencies

4. The ECAC Rationale : An Independent & Reliable Environment Compliance Assistance Centre is the Perfect Answer to Reciprocate the regulatory agencies’ effort towards Improved Environmental Compliance And Enhanced Environmental Consciousness

5. DoE & WBPCB set up an ECAC in the state – this Centre is the 1st of its kind in India with active support of AECEN and in collaboration with international development agencies (World Bank, USEPA, USAID, OECD, ADB) Steering Committee constituted in May 2008 for framing policy guidelines and for coordinating with AECEN, World Bank and other interested parties. Strategic Partners (viz. IIPC, IISWBM, ICC, BCCI, FOSMI etc.) were identified WBPCB received Small Grant through ECO – Asia and committed a matching amount as seed money towards initial ECAC expenses A 3 member Expert Technical Committee was constituted Two full-time personnel were employed Several stakeholder consultations, brainstorming sessions ….

6. ECAC : Purpose The primary purpose of ECAC is to assist industry in – accessing information on environmental compliance, clean production policies, programs and practices selecting appropriate clean technologies after evaluating a range of available options that meet the local needs introducing clean technologies demonstrating cost effectiveness and environmental benefits

7. Target Sectors & Criteria for Selection • Primary sectors identified on the basis of current industrial development trend in the state as well as pollution potential of the sectors – Phase I - Sponge Iron Industry • Phase II 4 sectors with focus on SMEs since SMEs face problems in accessing appropriate technology, technical assistance & funding : • Tannery and Chrome Chemicals Manufacturing • Lead Acid Storage Battery Manufacturing, Secondary Lead Smelting and Processing, • Downstream Petrochemical and Chemical Industries including Plastic Processing and • Dyeing, Bleaching & integrated textile processing Sector • The ECAC 2nd phase focuses on Replication / Expansion & Scale up

8. ECAC Success Stories : 1st Phase Considering the response of the Durgapur Workshop a few tentative areas were identified for exploration by ECAC : Replacement of injection coal by CBM in conventional coal based DRI process Replacement of oil and wood by CBM in conventional coal based DRI process during initial start up Feasibility of CBM based DRI process - technology options and environmental compliance A Website for the ECAC was designed with focus on the Sponge Iron sector after obtaining feedback from technical experts, stakeholders, strategic partners, members of US & Philippines CACs. The website was inaugurated by Hon’ble MIC on Sep 16 2009. 8

9. ECAC : Success Story - 2nd Phase Consultation workshop on Tannery and Chrome Chemicals Manufacturing Sectors held on May 18, 2010 involving CLRI, Chennai, Govt. College of Engg. & Leather Technology, Kolkata, CLCTA & BCCMA. Two officials of WBPCB visited CLRI, Chennai & tanneries in Tamil Nadu for undertaking a best practices identification study. Consultation workshop onLead Acid Storage Battery Manufacturing, Secondary Lead Smelting and Processing sectorsheld on June 29, 2010 involving ILZDA, NML, Exide Industries, Indian Small Scale Storage Battery Components Manufacturing Association, FOSMI, WBSIDC etc. Consultation workshop onDyeing, Bleaching and Integrated Textile Processing Sectorheld onAugust 13, 2010involving eminent speakers from ATIRA, AIIH&PH, Jayashree Textiles and other industries, West Bengal Dyeing & Bleaching Associations. Consultation workshop onChemical and Petrochemical Sectorheld onOct 6, 2010at Haldia – a major industrial hub of the state involving eminent speakers from premier institutes of the country like Jadavpur University, IIT Kharagpur, Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. Plastic Federation of India etc.

10. ECAC Achievements : The 1st newsletter of ECACEnvironetwas published on Apr 6 2010 by Hon’ble MIC The 1st flier of ECACwas inaugurated by the Hon’ble MIC on the Aug 13 2010 for wide dissemination amongst all stakeholders The 2nd newsletter of ECACEnvironetwas published on Mar 29 2011 Sector studies were initiated in 3 areas and success story reports were published on Mar 29 2011 An Evaluation Survey was conducted at the end of 2nd phase to assess the performance of ECAC and gaps in its development. (a) Training in specific areas (in environmental auditing, EIA, sourcing finance etc.), (b) ECAC to develop a structured mechanism for feedback, (c) strengthening information base of ECAC, (d) present infrastructure of ECAC – space, resources, manpower etc.

11. ECAC : Vision . . . Future ECAC Model Strengthen operation and activities of ECAC to help the industries (Increasing staff strength, area and scope of work & networking with other institutions to catalyze assistance to industry with funding from other sources (Eg.- CBIPM project) Progressively reduced WBPCB role and support (managerial as also funding) leading to independent ECAC Provide customized solutions to industries for abatement of pollution with the help of technical experts Pricing for customised services (based on business plan to be developed) and sustainability Undertake studies / projects for green technologies in selected sectors Undertake studies / projects for the SMEs and assist the SMEs for achieving compliance Establish national and international linkages for documenting & implementing “Best Available Practices” Network with other ECACs for new/innovative approaches and solutions

12. ECAC : under the CBIPM Project WBPCB is in the process of selection of consultants for executing various components of ECAC activities. For preparation of the detailed business strategy and plan of ECAC, technical proposals have been received from consultants and an evaluation report sent to the World Bank. A Technology Fair was organized by the ECAC in association with the Indian Chamber of Commerce on Mar 2 & 3 2012. The objective of the fair was to address the current issues related to industrial pollution and its management. The event provided a platform for the participants from different stakeholder groups to share and gather valuable knowledge and experience on clean and green technologies and best practices. More than 200 delegates from 5 different sectors visited the fair over two days. Tannery and chrome chemical sector study - technical evaluation report of the proposals received from bidders has been sent to the World Bank. Lead acid battery sector study - draft ToR for hiring of consultant sent to the World Bank Sponge iron sector study - the Board is in the process of selection of consultants. Several other SME sectors have been identified for undertaking studies as a part of the ECAC initiative.

13. Environment Compliance Assistance Centre Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091 Website : www.ecacwb.org Email :   contact@ecacwb.org Phone :  (033) 2321-4759 Thank You : Contact : BarnaMajumdar Environmental Engineer (Planning) West Bengal Pollution Control Board Dept. of Environment, Govt. of West Bengal ParibeshBhawan 10A, Block LA, Sector III, Salt Lake , Kolkata 700 098