The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has launched considerable attempts to attain net zero carbon emissions at airports across India. This entails standardizing the Carbon Accounting and Reporting Framework for Indian airports. Airport operators with planned activities are urged to measure and map carbon emissions at their airports, with the goal of eventually reaching carbon neutrality and net zero emissions. The MoCA has also recommended prospective Greenfield Airports and related State Governments to aim for Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero, with a focus on renewable energy.

Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru have achieved Level 4+ and higher Airports International Council (ACI) Accreditation as a result of the Modi government's concentrated efforts, indicating their achievement of carbon neutrality. Currently, 66 Indian airports run entirely on renewable energy.

Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd), Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, informed the Rajya Sabha in a written response to a query. Singh further underlined that the country now has 14 airports operating under Public Private Partnership (PPP). The Airports Authority of India (AAI) leases these airports with the goal of upgrading airport infrastructure and facilities by leveraging private sector efficiency and investment. The cash earned by these leased airports is then reinvested by AAI to promote the development of airport infrastructure across the country.

Greenfield Airports in India

The government of India granted ‘In-Principle’ approval for the establishment of 21 new Greenfield Airports across various states. These airports include Mopa in Goa, Navi Mumbai, Shirdi, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Hassan, and Shivamogga in Karnataka, Dabra (Gwalior) in Madhya Pradesh, Kushinagar, and Noida (Jewar) in Uttar Pradesh, Dholera, and Hirasar in Gujarat, Karaikal in Puducherry, Dagadarthi, Bhogapuram, and Orvakal (Kurnool) in Andhra Pradesh, Durgapur in West Bengal, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kannur in Kerala, and Hollongi (Itanagar) in Arunachal Pradesh.