CB Bureau‘We should develop the capacity of making the right choices
of environment-friendly technology. There is a need of synergy between research
and product development,’ said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways CP
Joshi while addressing the ‘International Seminar on Reducing Carbon Footprint
in Road Construction’ on February 18, in Delhi.
‘For sustainable development, we have to evolve innovative
green alternate materials and environment-friendly technologies without
compromising natural and ecological balances,’ added Joshi.
Joshi exclaimed that technologies are changing at a fast
pace, and so, we must be open to new ideas and be able to learn from our
experiences.
Expressing concern on climate change, he said that it is one
of the most critical challenges of our times.
‘Climate change and global warming due to pollution and
equivalent increase in carbon footprint threaten the entire human existence and has
been rightly taken quite earnestly by global leaders,’ he said.
Joshi opined that economic development is required for
poverty reduction. At the same time, development also leads to increased
greenhouse gas pollution caused by the resulting growth in vehicular traffic,
energy use and other related activities.
‘Greenhouse gas pollution and local air pollution threaten
to undermine development, with increasing evidence of their adverse
environment and health impacts. Transportation is the fastest growing sector
and at the same time the major contributor to global climate change, accounting for
23 per cent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions,’ Joshi stated.
The seminar was organized by Indian Road Congress (IRC) and
World Roads Association.
Joshi lauded the role of IRC. He said that it has
played a crucial role in development of standards, specifications, codes of
practices, guidelines and dissemination of knowledge and expertise for the
construction of roads and bridges in the country.