Indian Railways, a contributor in Indian transportation sector, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), an organization working for sustainable environment initiatives, to intensify efforts in reducing energy and water consumption, ultimately lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The partnership marks the renewal of their MoU for the third consecutive term, underlining their sustained commitment to environmental sustainability.
The MoU signing ceremony took place on January 4, 2024, with Shailendra Singh, Principal Executive Director/ME (EnHM & Project), Railway Board, and Seema Arora, Deputy Director General, CII, as the signatories. The event witnessed the presence of Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Railway Board, Board Members, and other senior officers.
Indian Railways has taken on the responsibility of environmental protection being one of the major stakeholders in the transportation sector. The railway network has set a target of achieving “Net Zero Carbon Emission” by 2030. With numerous railway stations, production units, major workshops, and other establishments under its purview, Indian Railways has implemented various green initiatives aimed at environmental protection and reducing carbon footprints. CII, actively collaborating with Indian Railways since July 2016, has been instrumental in promoting and facilitating green initiatives across the railway network. The initial MoU was signed in 2016 for a three-year term, followed by the signing of another MoU in 2019, extending the partnership for an additional three years.
The collaboration between Indian Railways and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has yielded substantial results in enhancing energy efficiency and promoting sustainable practices. Notably, energy efficiency measures implemented in manufacturing facilities and railway workshops resulted in impressive savings of 210 lakh kWh and monetary savings totaling Rs. 16 crores. This initiative also played a crucial role in achieving a visible reduction of approximately 18,000 tons of CO2 emissions. The introduction of the GreenCo rating system across 75 railway units, including workshops and manufacturing facilities, significantly elevated environmental performance. Furthermore, around 40 railway stations achieved green certification, demonstrating substantial improvements and saving 22 million kWh of energy and 3 billion liters of water annually. Additionally, over 40 building facilities, encompassing administrative buildings, hospitals, schools, and colonies, have successfully attained green certification. The collaboration also prioritized capacity building and skill development, introducing more than 20 new technology suppliers and providing training to around 900 Indian Railways officials on various aspects of energy efficiency, with exposure to six leading energy-efficient private sector plants in India. These accomplishments reflects the effectiveness of the partnership in fostering a sustainable and energy-efficient railway network.
Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Railway Board, expressed optimism about the renewed collaboration, stating, “Indian Railways has consistently demonstrated its commitment to sustainable practices. This renewed MoU with CII-GBC marks a significant step towards our collective goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions.” She emphasized that Green is the most desirable option, incorporated as fundamental in the ‘planning, design, development, and operations’ of Indian Railways.
Seema Arora, Deputy Director General of CII, commended Indian Railways’ efforts in implementing green measures, reducing energy and water consumption, and promoting sustainable practices across the built environment. She highlighted the importance of this partnership in driving sustainable development, stating, “Our renewed partnership with Indian Railways signifies a strategic shift towards the Net Zero framework. This alignment with global sustainability goals underscores our dedication to creating a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future for generations to come. We look forward to implementing cutting-edge solutions that will pave the way for a more environmentally responsible railway network.”
Under this renewed MoU, CII will collaborate on bringing new and relevant technologies, assist in achieving ISO 50001 certification of workshops/production units, contribute to the development of a Net-Zero Energy Railway station framework, and create an information dashboard highlighting advancements in green initiatives taken jointly by Indian Railways and CII throughout the year. This collaborative effort aims to set new benchmarks in environmental sustainability within the railway sector.
