GCC to promote civic projects that reduce emissions for generating carbon credit
The Hindu
A comprehensive study on various projects that can give carbon credits is expected to be completed by February
The Greater Chennai Corporation is all set to launch the trading of carbon credits, focusing on seven key civic projects in the city.
LED street lighting, solar panels, bio-methanation, electric vehicles, mangroves, Miyawaki forests and green buildings will be taken up as the projects in the first phase of this scheme. A comprehensive study will be done by February, said a Corporation official.
Following initiatives taken by the State government, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi has ordered civic officials to take steps to increase the fleet of battery-operated vehicles and other projects to reduce the civic body’s carbon footprint.
More land for development of infrastructure for recharging of battery-operated vehicles and projects that reduce emissions are expected to be earmarked in the 15 zones of the city, the officials said.
“The Corporation has been slowly but steadily weeding out manual tricycles and mini trucks and tippers, replacing them with battery-operated vehicles. This has reduced the pressure on diesel-operated trucks, increasing the usage of cleaner technology, which will ultimately give carbon credits to the GCC,” said an official. The Corporation has more than 5,000 battery operated vehicles now.
In a bid to make the air cleaner, the civic body is focusing on sand sweepers on the roads. In addition to the existing 69 vehicles, eight more sand sweeping vehicles are expected to be commissioned shortly. Even though the vehicles are not likely to reduce emissions, this is expected to reduce pollution on the road.
Civic proposals that strengthen the framework of carbon credits are expected to be taken up once the State government gives its nod.
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