Indian Railways Joins Hands With USAID To Achieve Mission Net Zero Carbon Emission

Firming up strategy with multi-pronged approach, Indian Railways has joined hands with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) envisaging co-operation on clean energy and energy efficiency solutions.

The national transporter is proactively working towards the achievement of Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030.

As part of its commitment to reduce carbon footprint, Indian Railways is taking several initiatives.

In line with this, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Indian Railways and USAID, India, on 14 June 2023 for collaboration on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The MoU was signed by Railway Board member (traction and rolling stock) Naveen Gulati and USAID deputy administrator Isabel Coleman in the presence of Railway Board chairman and chief executive officer Anil Kumar Lahoti.

USAID is an agency of the US government that supports international development and advances its mission objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade, clean energy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, global health, democracy and conflict mitigation and management, and humanitarian assistance.

Through this MoU, technical assistance and support would be provided to Indian Railways.

The MoU broadly includes long-term energy planning including clean energy for Indian Railways and develop an energy efficiency policy and action plan for Indian Railways buildings.

Besides, planning for clean energy procurement to achieve Indian Railways’ net-zero vision and technical support for addressing regulatory and implementation barriers.

The MoU also envisages bid design and bid management support for system-friendly, large-scale renewable procurement. It would also be supporting Indian Railways in the promotion of e-mobility.

According to the railways, the collaboration with USAID will go a long way in helping the public transporter to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2030.