More Carbon Neutrality Airports will Achieve Net-Zero Target

The Indian aviation industry aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by promoting sustainable development in the aviation sector, according to Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia. He said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA) had taken several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions at airports and make them carbon neutral. He added that having more carbon-neutral airports in India would help the country achieve its net-zero carbon emissions target.

To reduce greenhouse gases in airspace, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as Flexible Use of Airspace, Implementation of Central Air Traffic Flow Management, Implementation of Performance-Based Navigation, and Implementation of Continuous Descent Operations.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has already installed solar power plants at various airports with a cumulative capacity of more than 54 mwp as of today. Delhi and Mumbai airports have achieved the highest level of 4-plus carbon accreditation of ACI, and most of the airports have been given the target of achieving 100 percent use of green energy by 2023 and net-zero by 2030.

India’s aviation sector has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with 148 operational airports, including 137 airports, two water aerodromes, and nine heliports. The Ministry has also taken steps to encourage the use of sustainable aviation fuel and advised state governments to ensure carbon emission reduction measures.