Seeking to benefit from monetary spin offs of efforts to check climate change, railways are gearing up to earn carbon credits by running new generation trains on clean fuel.

According to the Kyoto Protocol, one carbon credit can be earned by preventing generation of a tonne of carbon dioxide. One carbon credit is worth USD 10 as per the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change guidelines.

Railways have signed two letters of intent with the World Bank to get carbon credits for its projects dealing with regenerative braking system and locomotives.

"This is the first such project in transport sector where railway will earn carbon credit worth millions," said a senior railway official.

The new train will be fuel-efficient and will run on low-emission fuel. This would enable the railways to reduce the pollution level to a great extent besides earning carbon credits.

"We are trying to negotiate with a few global train manufacturers for acquiring a few next generation environment- friendly trains", said the official adding, "We are in the process of introducing energy-efficient technology by using light-weight coaches and wagons."

Introduction of solar-based lighting at level crossings and use of renewable sources of energy for railway applications are some of the measures undertaken by the railways to generate certified emission reduction.