Delhi's IGI Airport becomes India's first net zero carbon emission airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), New Delhi has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first airport in India to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport status under Airport Council International's (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program. 

A Level 5 certification is considered as a testament for the airport’s efforts to reach and maintain a net zero carbon balance for emissions under control while extending efforts to influence other emissions.

The airport has managed to achieve this feat well before its scheduled target. The airport’s initial target to achieve net zero carbon emission was by 2030. But relentless efforts by the airport management in initiating various initiatives like adoption of renewable energy, development of green airport infrastructures and promotion of electric vehicles has led the airport to become sustainable before its intended timeline. 

Meanwhile, for achieving Level 5 certification the reduction in Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions have to be almost 90%, which DIAL has achieved. The remaining residual emissions have been addressed through approved offset removals, fulfilling the stringent requirements of the ACA program.

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions coming from the source, like vehicles, industry smoke chimneys etc while Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions due to electricity consumption.

DIAL has set a future target of achieving net zero in Scope 3 emissions by 2050, stressing its commitment towards sustainable future. 

Speaking about the challenges of climate change, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, chief executive, DIAL said: "As we face the challenges of climate change, we are committed to further reducing our carbon footprint and exploring sustainable aviation fuel options to address Scope 3 emissions."

Prior to this, DIAL has achieved carbon-neutral status in 2016 and Level 4+ transition accreditation in 2020.