Impact of Greenwashing on Public Trust

The ‘Mission 100% Electrification’ project is like chasing an unrealistic dream of becoming a green railway, leading to many usable diesel locomotives becoming unnecessary.

Export of Diesel Locomotives:

1. • India’s RITES Ltd. is sending six refurbished diesel locomotives to Africa after converting them to fit African tracks. This is the first project of its kind.
2. Idle Diesel Locomotives:
   • About 760 diesel locomotives are no longer in use because of rapid railway electrification. However, more than 60% of them are still in good condition.
3. Limited Environmental Gains:
   • Electrification reduces only 2% of diesel consumption. Since most of India’s electricity (50%) comes from coal, the environmental benefits of electrification are minimal.
4. Contradictions in Strategy:
   • While aiming for 100% electrification, Indian Railways still plans to keep 3,500 diesel locomotives for emergencies, which contradicts the goal of becoming fully “green.”
5. Policy and Financial Waste:
   • The hurried electrification has made usable diesel locomotives redundant, wasting public money and failing to achieve genuine environmental or economic benefits.

What is Greenwashing in This Context?

• Misleading Green Claims:
  Indian Railways claims that 100% electrification will make the railway “green.” However, since most electricity comes from polluting coal plants, the environmental benefit is questionable. Pollution shifts from diesel to coal-based power plants.
• Wasting Usable Resources:
  Functional diesel locomotives are being discarded too soon, wasting resources without any real environmental gain.
• Focus on Slogans, Not Results:
  The project appears to focus on flashy goals (like “100% Electrification”) instead of solving real pollution problems. This is greenwashing—creating an illusion of being eco-friendly.

Impact of Greenwashing on Public Trust

1. Loss of Trust:
   When promises of sustainability are not genuine, people stop believing in the organization’s environmental claims.
2. Wasted Resources:
   The public may see the government as wasting money on ineffective projects, leading to less support for real green initiatives in the future.
3. More Scrutiny:
   Activists, media, and the public start demanding transparency, which can cause backlash against the organization.

How to Stop Greenwashing (Way Forward)

1. Strict Rules for Green Claims:
   • Make clear regulations to ensure that claims about environmental benefits are backed by real data.
2. Mandatory Environmental Reporting:
   • Transportation sectors should be required to regularly report on their sustainability efforts, including emissions and energy sources.
3. Independent Reviews:
   • Set up independent organizations to verify green claims and ensure accountability. These groups can provide certifications based on real environmental progress.
4. Incentives for Real Efforts:
   • Reward companies or sectors that implement genuine sustainability measures, encouraging others to follow suit.