Alleviation of increasing environmental problems due to pollution of water, air and soil arising from industrial production and the urban sector's residential, commercial and institutional activities require an integrated effort in environmental planning, management and action. Interdisciplinary understanding cooperation and coordination and increased public participation and support are important components in the process towards a sustainable development. To move towards Sustainable Development, DANIDA has prepared a project document. For establishing "Environmental Training Institute" in Tamil Nadu, a side letter was signed between Government of India, Ministry of Finance and the Kingdom of Denmark with Danish grant of DKR 9.961 million. Government of Tamil Nadu have also given concurrence to the Government of India, Ministry of Finance for setting up the Environmental Training Institute in Tamil Nadu with DANIDA assistance. Accordingly, the Environmental Training Institute was established in the year 1994.

Improved knowledge, skills and awareness are essential to achieve an environmentally sensitive and accountable attitude. ETI provides training that can help fill the gaps in these areas. However, ETI is an organizational wing of TNPCB.

ETI is a common platform that offers training to pollution control board staff, industries, the urban sector as well as NGOs.