The urban transport system in Mumbai will now help the city generate carbon credits. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) will conduct a CO₂ emission study of the urban transport system to record the current environment status of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). 

The two will prepare a report which will help in devising a strategy for a sustainable environment. They will work towards lowering the carbon footprints for the transport system in Mumbai. Generating carbon credits from Metro and Monorail projects in Mumbai is also a part of their plan.

“The green initiatives taken by MMRDA will benefit in the long run by reducing pollution and environmental degradation. Hence, it will provide a healthy environment,” said Ratnakar Gaikwad, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.

Rajendra Pachauri, director general, TERI said, “Although new technologies are constantly being developed to complement current practices, the common objective is that to reduce the overall impact of the polluted environment on human health by efficiently using sustainable development methods.”

The exercise will be initiated by carrying out an energy efficient programme for MMRDA’s existing building. TERI will carry out an Energy Efficient Building Retrofitting Program (EEBRP) for the same. Buildings will be assessed for their energy-saving potential and measures to check energy-loss, wherever possible, will be incorporated.

MMRDA also plans to introduce new cooling technologies which will conserve energy. Appropriate and useful optimisation of the building heat load and new and improved energy efficient lights will be brought in. Renewable energy like solar power will replace conventional thermal power and rainwater harvesting will be the norm to recharge water sources.