On Wednesday, August 14, Delhi Airport achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian airport to earn Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport status under the Airport Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airport Infrastructure Limited, announced that Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has attained Level 5 certification for Net Zero Carbon Emissions, making it the first airport in India to achieve this status.
“This prestigious certification recognises the airport’s commitment to reaching and maintaining a net zero carbon balance for emissions under its control, while also extending efforts to influence and report on all other emissions,” it stated.
The statement highlighted that Delhi Airport’s attainment of Level 5 certification emphasises its leadership in sustainability and carbon management, with an initial objective set to achieve “Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport” status by 2030.
“Through relentless efforts, innovative strategies, and proactive initiatives such as the adoption of renewable energy, development of green airport infrastructures, promotion of electric vehicles, and implementation of zero waste to landfill programs, DIAL has met its target well ahead of schedule,” it stated.
DIAL also noted that by achieving Level 5 certification, Delhi Airport has made substantial progress in cutting its Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 90%. The remaining residual emissions have been managed through approved offset removals, meeting the stringent standards of the ACA program.
DIAL also affirmed its commitment to reaching net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2050, in line with ACI’s ACA frameworks and the global movement towards sustainability.
Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, said, “Reducing carbon emissions from airport operations has been a key focus for us at IGIA. Achieving carbon-neutral status in 2016 and Level 4+ transition accreditation in 2020 was just the beginning. Now, with the attainment of Level 5 net zero emission accreditation in 2024, we have once again demonstrated our commitment to continual improvement and sustainability. 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. Achieving ACI’s Level 5 certification well before our target date is a testament to our dedication to sustainability and innovation.”