Government Aligns Civil Aviation Regulations with Carbon Emission Cut Goals
Source: https://www.mercomindia.com/government-aligns-with-carbon-emission-cut-goals
Author: Gautamee Hazarika
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has advised the authorities at the state level to ensure that carbon emission reduction measures are incorporated into the design and standards for greenfield airport development proposals, detailed project reports, and airport master plans before submitting them to the nodal ministry. Further, the ministry has also advised the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority to consider the costs of using green energy when determining airport tariffs. The regulator sets the fees for passengers using the airports. The aviation ministry said that it would not implement the voluntary leg of the program Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). However, it will enforce the mandatory offsetting requirement for Indian airlines by 2027. CORSIA is designed to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment. It will be implemented in three phases, including a pilot and a voluntary phase. The mandatory phase for all ICAO member states would be in force from 2027 to 2035. To promote the use of clean fuels, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has established a Bio-Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) Program Committee to advance the Bio-ATF program in India. The committee has submitted its report for approval to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.