Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) became the 1st airport in India to achieve the status of “Net Zero Carbon Emission” (NZCE) (Level 5 certification) under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program of the Airport Council International (ACI).
- This certification recognises IGIA’s commitment to reaching and maintaining a net zero carbon balance for emissions under its control (Scope 1 and 2), while also addressing all other emissions (Scope 3).
Note: IGIA is operated by the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a joint venture between GMR Group, Airports Authority of India(AAI), and Fraport AG & Eraman Malaysia.
About Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA):
i.The ACA is the only institutionally endorsed, global carbon management certification program for airports.
ii.The ACA independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through 7 levels of certification. They are:
- ‘Mapping’, ‘Reduction’, ‘Optimisation’, ‘Neutrality’, ‘Transformation’, ‘Transition’, and ‘Level 5’.
Commitment to Sustainability:
i.The airport has achieved the goal of becoming a “Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport” by 2030 well ahead of its initial target.
ii.The airport is further committed to reducing its carbon footprint and exploring sustainable aviation fuel options to address Scope 3 emissions.
iii.Carbon Reduction:
- IGIA reduced its Scope 1 and 2 Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 90%, with the remaining emissions addressed through approved offset removals.
- The airport targets net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2050, aligning with ACI’s ACA frameworks and the global push for a sustainable future.
Key Initiatives:
i.DIAL has installed a 7.84 Megawatt (Mw) solar power plant within the airport’s airside area, and sources renewable-based electricity through open access.
- The airport currently operates entirely on renewable energy, eliminating approximately 200,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
ii.Implementation of over 350 rainwater harvesting systems and a Zero-Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
iii.Adoption of the Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) system, Electric Vehicles (EVs), and TaxiBots, reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
iv.DIAL is the 1st airport globally to adopt and certify an International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 50001:2018 Energy Management System (EMS), leading to reduced fuel and electricity consumption over the years.
KIA Bengaluru becomes 1st Airport in Asia to Receive Level 5 Accreditation of ACI
Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, became the 1st airport in Asia to receive the Airports Council International’s (ACI) highest Level 5 accreditation.
- This recognition, effective from 5 May 2024, highlights KIA’s commitment to sustainability with an impressive 95.6% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, attaining the highest emission elimination by an Indian airport.
- KIA, operated by the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), achieved net zero GHG emissions 7 years ahead of its 2030 goal.
Sustainability Milestones and Vision:
i.The airport has transitioned to 100% renewable electricity and implemented sustainable mobility and green infrastructure initiatives.
ii.KIA has offset its residual emissions by procuring ACI-approved carbon units from verified carbon removal projects.
iii.The airport aims to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050, including Scope 3 emissions, aligning with ACI’s carbon accreditation program at Level 5.
iv.KIA has also been named the best regional airport in India and South Asia.
v.KIA’s sustainability strategy is built on 6 pillars: water stewardship, Net Zero Carbon Emission (NZCE), community-aligned noise management, circular economy, sustainable procurement, and sustainable mobility.
- These initiatives align directly with 11 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and indirectly with 6 others.
About the Airport Council International (ACI):
The ACI established in 1991 is the association of the world’s airports, representing the collective interests of airports worldwide to promote excellence in the aviation industry.
Director-General– Luis Felipe de Oliveira
Headquarters– Montréal, Québec, Canada
