Railways signs LoI with UNEP

The #Ministry of Railways signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with #United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to formalise the joint cooperation in the area of environmental conservation on 9 March 2017.

The LoI’s joint activities would be:

a. Collaborate in Formulating Specific Roadmap for achieving 20% reduction in Water consumption at Railway establishments.
b. Collaborate in the development of a Draft action plan for establishing waste management centres at major stations on Indian Railways.
c. Collaborate in the development of a Draft action plan for Indian Railways on sustainable public procurement for green technology.

Minister of Railways #Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said the Railways aims to reduce the carbon footprints which will help public at large.

After this partnership, opportunities are large to work for environment conservation in collaboration with UNEP, he added. It is going to produce 1,000-MW solar energy.

Speaking on the occasion, #Erik Solheim, Executive Director UNEP said the partnership would focus on three main areas: waste management which is important for community, reduction in water consumption which is core of environment issues and sustainable public procurement.

The Indian Railways is focusing greener and efficient transport system.

It has been taking a number of steps towards Water Management, Energy Conservation, Solid Waste Management and Green buildings.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is the leading organization within the United Nations system in the field of environment and has as a major area of focus of its global mandate, the conservation, protection, enhancement and support of nature and natural resources worldwide. fii-news.com