Climate Change Strategy: Mumbai Airport Lauded For Managing Its Carbon Footprint

Adding another feather to its cap, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is proud to announce that it has achieved the Highest-Level 4+ “Transition” of Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program of Airport Council International (ACI). This certification lauds Mumbai airport's efforts in building a climate change strategy which provides a comprehensive framework for managing its carbon footprint. With ‘Measure, Manage, Reduce and Communicate’ as its core objectives, it exemplifies CSMIA’s dedication and expertise in effectively managing its operations to contribute to a better tomorrow.

From a global airport standpoint, with CSMIA’s addition, there are now 31 airports in the world that have achieved this prestigious Level 4+ accreditation and only 2 airports in the whole Asia-Pacific region. And with this, it makes CSMIA the 3^rd airport to achieve the esteemed certification in Asia-Pacific region. This accreditation adds to CSMIA’s milestones, as reaching Level 4+ ‘Transition’ means that the airport has aligned its CO₂ management with global climate goals and compensated for the remaining residual emissions with high quality carbon credits. CSMIA has been inching towards the reduction of carbon emissions under its Environment Social and Governance (ESG) policy commitments. With continued focus on sustainability, CSMIA, year-on-year undertakes effective measures and sustainable practices, that display the airports’ firm belief & responsibility of contributing towards the global sustainability plan.

Speaking on the occasion, CSMIA’s spokesperson said – “It is indeed a matter of great honour to be achieving this key milestone in our journey towards attaining a sustainable future for CSMIA.  Level 4+ certification by ACI is a reward for the collaborative & sustained efforts towards carbon management and mitigation through absolute emission reductions and stakeholder partnering towards global climate goals. This achievement signifies CSMIA’s commitment to being a green airport that creates sustainable value for its stakeholders responsibly. As CSMIA aspires to become net-zero by 2029, this landmark event further encourages us to stay committed to our efforts in building a greener space in the aviation industry.”

“We are proud of Mumbai International Airport's excellent achievement in reducing carbon emissions, setting an example for airports the region. Mumbai Airport is firmly positioning itself as one of the leaders in efficient carbon management and this achievement truly demonstrates its firm commitment to invest in a more sustainable future. It is a remarkable achievement in an era of unprecedented challenges for the aviation industry,” said Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific.

In line with its vision, CSMIA had prepared a roadmap to achieve Green House Gas reduction (Carbon Management)

• CSMIA has prepared roadmap to achieve operations Net Zero Carbon Emission” by 2029.
• The airport has prepared comprehensive plan and invested on emission and energy consumption reduction projects
• Cross function climate change and carbon management committee has formed to analyze and plan year by year reduction objectives to achieve our reduction targets
• Rolled out Comprehensive ESG policy in June 22 to address and commit reduction of Green House Gas emission and Environmental footprints by adopting green and efficient technologies.
• Green Procurement Policy in Oct 22 for addressing scope -03 emission reduction and adopting eco-friendly and less polluting services and materials
• In FY 21-22 scope 01 and Scope 2 emission was 56690.73 (t CO₂e) scope 03 (except full flight emission) was 243280.44 (t CO₂e).

All leading to a greener operation at CSMIA with reduced 2,92,790 CO₂ carbon compared to base year of FY 14-15. And according to US EPA tool this saving is equivalent to below

As part of its effective implementation of Carbon Management Plan, CSMMIA initiated various path-breaking projects:

• Entirely switched to green sources for its energy consumption needs, making CSMIA one of India’s 100 percent sustainable airports
• Onsite Renewal Power Generation plant augmented to 4.65 MW capacity 
• Installed unique Vertical axis wind turbine & solar PV system of capacity 10KWp in March 22, with 4 additional units to be installed in FY 23
• 6 EV charging station installed for encouraging EV usage at airport
• Conversion of higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant in AC’s and Chillers to lower GWP refrigerant
• Conversion of CSMIA owned 45 conventional fuel vehicles to Electric Vehicles
• Retrofit for EC fan at AHU at Terminal-2, CSMIA, Mumbai.
• Replacement of CO₂ based fire extinguishers with non- CO₂ based (ABC type) fire extinguisher to reduce the carbon emissions. 50 % replaced.
• MIAL owned 45 conventional fuel vehicles are being replaced with EVs
• Plastic waste (PET bottles) recycling through installation of Reverse Vending Machines
• 132 numbers of stakeholder equipment/vehicles operating at airport are Electric
• Offsite waste disposal emission reduction by reuse and channelizing waste to recycle
• Reduction in taxi time and congestion by collaboration with AAI, Airlines and MIAL operations
• Infrastructure runway re-carpeting, upgradation and strengthening of taxiways etc help in landing and take-off emission reduction

Since 2012, CSMIA began its journey towards reducing carbon footprint by implementing Carbon Accounting and Management System (CAMS) based on ISO 14064-1:2018 to identify, measure & manage GHG emissions as a part of GHG management program. And since then, the airport has been a part of ACI’s ACA program and was also awarded with ACA Level 3+ “NEUTRALITY” in 2017, making CSMIA a Carbon Neutral airport since 2017. Confident in its transformational green practices, CSMIA is the only Indian airport to publish its biennial Sustainability report showcasing the progress of sustainability initiatives and presents an overview of its programs from the past two years.

For the aviation industry, two identified clear priorities that push for challenging change for a better tomorrow is (i) the shift to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a transition that is now seen in India (ii) and the second is the need to develop sustainable airports. At CSMIA, sustainability is an intrinsic concept, and its initiatives align with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals and is prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) standards, thus meeting the global environmental requirements. For CSMIA, sustainability is ingrained in its core business strategy and is an integral part for it to progressively improve the operations and continue to serve in a responsible manner.