Bengaluru International Airport Becomes the First in Asia to Attain Level 5 Carbon Accreditation
Bengaluru International Airport Becomes the First in Asia to Attain Level 5 Carbon Accreditation
Kempegowda Bengaluru Airport (BLR) in Bengaluru, India, is the first airport in Asia to obtain the esteemed Level 5 Carbon Accreditation, marking a significant environmental milestone. With effect from May 5, 2024, this certification marks a significant advancement in the sustainability efforts of the Asian aviation sector.
The Level 5 Carbon Accreditation was officially awarded to Bengaluru Airport (BLR) during the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Assembly, which took place in New Delhi from April 15 to 17. Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) issued a statement on Thursday outlining the achievement, highlighting the airport’s outstanding efforts in minimizing its environmental footprint through rigorous carbon management practices.
Bengaluru Airport earned this top-level accreditation by achieving an impressive 95.6% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions. This achievement has allowed the airport to reach net-zero status for these emissions seven years ahead of its initial target of 2030. Emission classifications are divided into scopes: Scope 1 refers to direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organization (such as fuel combustion and company vehicles), while Scope 2 includes indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling. Hari Marar, Managing Director & CEO of BIAL, emphasized the collaborative nature of this success, highlighting the collective effort behind this accomplishment.
Bengaluru Airport (BLR) has long been at the forefront of technological innovation and sustainable operations. Situated about 40 kilometers from Bengaluru’s city center, it serves as a vital transport hub for the tech capital of southern India. Since its opening in 2008, the airport has seen impressive growth in passenger traffic and operational capacity, connecting passengers to a wide range of domestic and international destinations, thereby boosting Karnataka’s status as a global business center.
The airport’s journey toward achieving Level 5 Accreditation involved several sustainability initiatives, including a shift to renewable energy sources, the optimization of energy usage via advanced building management systems, and the adoption of electric vehicles in its operations. Additionally, BIAL has invested significantly in on-site solar energy generation, with large-scale solar installations powering airport activities with clean energy. The airport has also implemented water conservation strategies, waste management programs, and biodiversity protection efforts, all of which have contributed to its carbon reduction goals.
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