**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the steps taken by the Indian government to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector, in response to a parliamentary question. It covers initiatives like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending, implementation of CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), and efforts towards achieving carbon neutrality at airports. Key deadlines include CORSIA's mandatory phase starting in 2027 and India's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2070.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **CORSIA Implementation:**
* India, as an ICAO member, is obligated to comply with the mandatory phase of CORSIA from 2027.
* Under CORSIA, airlines must offset emissions above a 2019 baseline, applicable to international flights.
* **Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Blending:**
* The government approved indicative blending targets for SAF in traditional aviation fuel, initially for international flights: 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030.
* **Net-Zero Emissions Goals:**
* The 41st ICAO Assembly adopted a long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) for international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
* India has committed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
* **Airport Carbon Neutrality:**
* Operational airports with scheduled operations and developers of upcoming Greenfield Airports are advised to work towards carbon neutrality, including the use of green energy.
* Four Indian airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad) have achieved Carbon Accreditation Level 5 of Airports Council International (ACI).
* **Carbon Accounting and Reporting Framework:**
* The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) organizes knowledge-sharing sessions to standardize carbon accounting and reporting for Indian Airports.
* **DGCA Guidance:**
* DGCA has issued detailed guidance under CAR Section 10, Series C, Part I (CORSIA), covering monitoring, reporting, verification and carbon offsetting requirements for airlines.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact:** Airports will need to develop and implement strategies to achieve Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero, which may involve significant investments in green energy infrastructure and changes in operational practices.
**Action Required:** Airports should work towards achieving Carbon Neutrality & Net Zero, including use of green energy.
**Impact:** Airlines operating international flights will be impacted by CORSIA. They must monitor, report, and offset their emissions above the 2019 baseline from 2027 onwards. They will also need to adapt to the SAF blending requirements.
**Action Required:** Airlines must prepare to comply with CORSIA requirements starting in 2027 and adhere to the SAF blending targets.
Key Entities Referenced
CORSIA: Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, a market-based measure adopted by ICAO to reduce carbon emissions from international aviation. India is obligated to comply with the mandatory phase from 2027.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: Organized knowledge sharing sessions to standardize Carbon Accounting and Reporting framework of Indian Airports as well as to create awareness on Climate Change mitigation.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Approved blending targets for SAF in Traditional Aviation Fuel, initially for international flights. Targets are 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030.
ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization, which adopted CORSIA and a long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) for international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
DGCA: Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which has issued detailed guidance under CAR Section 10, Series C, Part I (CORSIA).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3168
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th December 2025 )
REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSION
3168. SHRI BALRAM NAIK PORIKA
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the specific steps taken to reduce carbon emissions from airports and airlines, including
adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), use of green energy, implementation of
CORSIA and upgrades to aircraft technology;
(b) the details of SAF blending targets, the number of airports achieving carbon neutrality
and compliance plans for CORSIA;
(c) the timelines fixed for achieving net-zero emissions in the aviation sector aligned with
India's climate goals; and
(d) the mechanisms in place to monitor progress and address any gaps such as carbon
footprint mapping and airport carbon accreditation?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (d): International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has adopted a market based
measure Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) to
reduce carbon emissions from international aviation. India, being a Member State of ICAO, is
under obligation to comply with the mandatory phase of CORSIA from the year 2027. Under
the CORSIA scheme, airlines are required to offset their emissions, above a set baseline of
2019. The CORSIA scheme is applicable for international flights only.
The Government has approved indicative blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and
5% by 2030 for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Traditional Aviation Fuel, initially for
international flights. The 41st ICAO Assembly adopted a long-term global aspirational goal
(LTAG) for international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in support of the
UNFCCC Paris Agreement's temperature goal. India has committed to be net zero by 2070.
All the operational airports with scheduled operations and developers of the upcoming
Greenfield Airports have been advised to work towards achieving Carbon Neutrality & Net
Zero which inter-alia includes use of green energy. Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has
organised knowledge sharing sessions to standardise Carbon Accounting and Reporting
framework of Indian Airports as well as to create awareness on Climate Change mitigation.At present, 4 airports in the country have become Carbon neutral, namely, Delhi, Mumbai,
Bangalore and Hyderabad, having attained the Carbon Accreditation Level 5 of Airports
Council International (ACI).
DGCA has issued detailed guidance under CAR Section 10, Series C, Part I (CORSIA),
covering monitoring, reporting, verification and carbon offsetting requirements for airlines.
******