Indian Railways, CII Renew MoU For Green Initiatives Promotion
In a commitment to environmental stewardship, Indian Railways (IR) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the third consecutive term.
The agreement, aimed at reducing energy and water consumption and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, was officially signed and exchanged on 4 January 2024.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of key stakeholders, including Shailendra Singh Principal Executive Director/ME (EnHM & Project) Railway Board; Seema Arora, Deputy Director General CII and Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Railway Board, along with other senior officers.
As a major player in the transportation sector, Indian Railways has undertaken the responsibility of environmental protection and set a target to achieve "Net Zero Carbon Emission" by 2030. The collaborative efforts with CII since July 2016 have yielded significant progress in various green initiatives:
Through focused efforts, Indian Railways has made remarkable strides in energy efficiency, realising substantial savings of 210 lakh kWh and Rs 16 crores.
This concerted approach has not only translated into financial benefits but has also resulted in a significant reduction of approximately 18,000 tons of CO2 emissions across manufacturing facilities and railway workshops.
Additionally, the implementation of the GreenCo Rating system in 75 railway units has brought about a substantial enhancement in environmental performance. Furthermore, about 40 railway stations have earned green certification, contributing to savings of 22 million kWh of energy and an impressive 3 billion litres of water annually.
Extending its commitment to sustainability, Indian Railways has also facilitated over 40 facilities, including administrative buildings, hospitals, schools, and colonies, in achieving green certification. In tandem, capacity building and skill development initiatives have been undertaken, introducing more than 20 new technology suppliers and providing exposure to approximately 150 Indian Railways officials to the best energy-efficient practices in the private sector.
This collaborative effort has resulted in the training of around 900 officials on various aspects of energy efficiency, reinforcing Indian Railways' commitment to greener and more sustainable practices.
Chairman & CEO of Railway Board Jaya Varma Sinha expressed optimism about the renewed collaboration, emphasising that sustainability is a fundamental aspect in the planning, design, development, and operations of Indian Railways.
Seema Arora, Deputy Director General of CII, applauded Indian Railways for its green measures and underscored the importance of this partnership in driving sustainable development. She stated, "Our renewed partnership with Indian Railways signifies a strategic shift towards the Net Zero framework."
Under the renewed MoU, CII will collaborate on bringing new technologies, assist in achieving ISO 50001 certification, develop a Net-Zero Energy Railway station framework, and create an information dashboard highlighting advancements in joint green initiatives throughout the year. This collaboration marks a significant step towards a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future for rail transport in India.
