Comprehensive BRO Habitat to Support Carbon Neutrality in Ladakh
Author: Lt Col Deepak Badoni
Introduction
Border Road Organisation (BRO) is a premier organisation for construction of roads and allied infrastructure along the border areas and has a vast footprint in the UT of Ladakh. It has extremely harsh and challenging terrains and sub-zero climate. It is also endowed with natural resources and the Government of India and the UT of Ladakh have set a target to make Ladakh Carbon Neutral, as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The aim is to plan future developmental activities that minimise carbon emissions. This is an intrinsic part of Vision 2050 for development of Ladakh and carbon neutrality has to be embedded in every department’s action plan.
Carbon neutrality is a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal (often through carbon offsetting) or by eliminating emissions from society. The term is used in the context of carbon dioxide-releasing processes associated with transportation, energy production, agriculture, and industry. Reducing carbon emissions can be done by moving towards energy sources and industry processes that produce less greenhouse gases, thereby transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Shifting towards the use of renewable energy such as wind, geothermal, and solar power, zero-energy systems like passive daytime radioactive cooling, as well as nuclear power, reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Introduction
Border Road Organisation (BRO) is a premier organisation for construction of roads and allied infrastructure along the border areas and has a vast footprint in the UT of Ladakh. It has extremely harsh and challenging terrains and sub-zero climate. It is also endowed with natural resources and the Government of India and the UT of Ladakh have set a target to make Ladakh Carbon Neutral, as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The aim is to plan future developmental activities that minimise carbon emissions. This is an intrinsic part of Vision 2050 for development of Ladakh and carbon neutrality has to be embedded in every department’s action plan.
Carbon neutrality is a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal (often through carbon offsetting) or by eliminating emissions from society. The term is used in the context of carbon dioxide-releasing processes associated with transportation, energy production, agriculture, and industry. Reducing carbon emissions can be done by moving towards energy sources and industry processes that produce less greenhouse gases, thereby transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Shifting towards the use of renewable energy such as wind, geothermal, and solar power, zero-energy systems like passive daytime radioactive cooling, as well as nuclear power, reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
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NBM&CW March 2023