Standing by our commitment to maintain environment sustainability (1/2)

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Standing by our commitment to maintain environment sustainability (1/2)

24 June 2020

Environment sustainability is our ticket to a safer future. But, it's not a one-day task to do once in a while rather it is a combined and consistent process that can build the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous economy.

Established on the foundation of seven values & beliefs, GMR Group as an organization has always ensured that its businesses tread on the path of responsible growth. Throughout these years of delivering several successful infrastructures across the world, the group ensured to keep environment sustenance as the core of all its project plans. And, its strategically designed Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) are best known for conducting operations in an environment friendly and sustainable manner.

Green Zones

Right from the design and construction phase, GMR led IGIA and RGIA have extensively ingrained environmental protection as an integral part of their businesses. Based on their respective environment policies, developed with co-operation of all the stakeholders, both the airports have successfully maintained green buildings. While, IGIA's Terminal 3 has been the first 'Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design' (LEED) Gold Accredited airport terminal building in the world for its green footprint; RGIA on the other hand, got the silver rating LEED certification in 2008 by US Green Building Council.

RGIA on the other hand, has a vast landscaped green cover within an area of 675 acres along with maintain greenbelt and extensive vegetation. Presence of this sprawling green cover acts as a natural sink of the carbon emissions and absorbs about 240 tonnes of CO2 / annum from the environment.

Single-Use Plastic free Airports (SUPAs)

In line with the above commitments, IGIA and RGIA have also focused on optimizing the use of natural resources by conserving water, fuel, electricity and practicing the best waste management and plastic reduction practices. Recently, as per Government of India's directive to make India single use plastic free by 2022, both the airports have imposed zero tolerance policy on the usage of single use plastic. And, the policy includes all concessionaires and service providers operating at the airports.

While, the airports had been steadily phasing out use of non-recyclable plastic over the past few years, the final phase of the campaign included fully switching over to sustainable eco-friendly alternatives. The F&B outlets and retail stores were encouraged to use corn starch plates, wooden spoons and forks, biodegradable boxes and covers to reduce the airport's plastic footprint. Besides this, IGIA and RGIA have also been encouraging eco-friendly products like jute bags through their Corporate Social Responsibility arm GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF). Some of the plastic items that are exempted from the list of the phased out items, include security tamper evident bags (STEBs), sealed PET bottles, pre-packaged materials from manufacturers meant for sale, etc.

Delhi Airport100,000sq.ft (approx.)

Plant Species60 +

IGIA has recently developed first of its kind high-tech plant nursery spread across a sprawling area of 100,000 sq. ft. maintaining more than 60 plant species which not only improve aesthetic and de-stress passengers but also provide air purification to the environment. These indoor plants are efficient at improving indoor air quality by passively absorbing toxic VOC such as Nitrogen Oxides, Formaldehyde, Xylene, Benzene, Toluene etc.

Carbon-neutral environment

Reduction of carbon footprints has been one of the key focus areas in environment sustenance measures at GMR led airports. To control the environmental aspects of airports and to reduce their harmful impact on the environment, IGIA and RGIA are practicing and promoting several administrative and engineering controls. This includes, aircraft continuous descent approach while landing, restricted use of thrust reversal, Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGP), for the aircraft turnaround operations instead of fuel operated auxiliary power unit (APU) & ground power units(GPU) to avoid noise emanating from APU & GPU. Additionally, introducing battery operated vehicles in place of petroleum engine driven vehicles, regular pollution checks for the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) etc. have contributed in curtailing emission levels significantly.

All these measures have helped the airports in maintaining Level 3+ neutrality status under the "Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme" by Airports Council of India (ACI).