Airports may be required to purchase carbon credits to offset emissions. This is one of the suggestions in the draft circulated by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on mapping carbon footprint in the sector.
The Centre has initiated the process of formulating emission norms for the sector. As a first step, the DGCA is compiling a national carbon emission inventory.
The move comes in the backdrop of a resolution by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) last year, calling upon members to achieve two per cent fuel efficiency annually by 2050. The International Air Transport Association, a global airline body, has also committed to an average annual improvement of 1.5 per cent in fuel efficiency and carbon-neutral growth by 2020 and halving net emissions to 2005-levels by 2050.
“In April, we instructed airlines to submit fuel consumption data for the last five years. We also collected data from airports and non-scheduled operators. We have now asked airports and airlines to submit fuel and energy consumption data from sources such as offices, ground vehicles, fire engines, generators. We don’t have emission norms for aviation. This process will help in formulating these norms,’’ he said, adding that the inventory would be prepared annually.
“The objective is to facilitate the stakeholders to assess their own carbon footprint. It will also help them prepare a multi-pronged strategy to comply with the relevant regulations and policies without adversely affecting growth,’’ the DGCA circular says. The circular is not explicit on responsibilities of stakeholders either.