DGCA measures lead Indian airlines, airports to cut emissions

A series of policy measures by the DGCA have led Indian airlines and airports to significantly reduce carbon emissions despite a major growth in air traffic, according to the latest survey by the aviation regulator.
All Indian scheduled passenger airlines operating domestic and international destinations slashed their carbon footprint by 6.6 per cent in 2012 compared with the previous year, the Carbon Footprint Report 2012 has said.
The total emission of 15,389,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2012, which represents less than one per cent of India's anthropogenic emissions, was significantly lower than the global average of 2-3 per cent, the report of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation showed.

On domestic routes, the emissions were down by 9.2 per cent, while it was lower by 8.8 per cent for Indian carriers operating on international sectors.
In comparison, the emission by foreign carriers operating in India was a positive 5.7 per cent.
Commenting on the findings, DGCA chief Arun Mishra told PTI, "There has been a significant overall decline in emission due to the introduction of a series of measures and new procedures for airlines, airports and air traffic control."

Besides, Indian carriers have brought in new and modern aircraft known for fuel efficiency, he said. "All these things put together have enabled us to contain emissions in a major way," Mishra said, adding that the report comprehensively maps the carbon footprint of the Indian aviation sector.

DGCA had last year prepared the first such report for 2011 under the EU-India Civil Aviation Cooperation Project.
The 2012 report comes weeks ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) assembly later this month where a market-based global emissions trading system (ETS) would be debated and is likely to be formalised.