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National carrier takes up cause of global warming

Reema Sisodia - Mumbai

Air India and Air India Express have shown an inclination to reduce their carbon footprints at a recently-concluded meeting organised by the PATA environment committee that highlighted the need to address the issue of global warming and going carbon neutral.

The PATA environment committee has taken the initiative and is on the threshold of designing ways and means to help reduce carbon footprints. The committee will quote examples and practices conducted by the Costa Rica-based airline, Nature Air, which is regarded as one of the first carbon-free airline companies dedicated to the cause of going carbon neutral by investing in afforestation. The committee will also make suggestions to introduce environmentally-conducive activities for the airline industry to follow.

Rohita Jaidka of Air India, who is also a member of PATA executive committee and PP Singh, COO of Air India Express, have expressed their interest in working with PATA to address this issue. Says Mandip Singh Soin, head of the environmental and eco-tourism committee for PATA as well as of the PATA India Chapter, part of the sustainable tourism committee of PATA worldwide, and founder and managing director of Ibex Expeditions, "The national carrier has been extremely forthcoming to take up this cause with great seriousness.

They have also shown keen interest in building an eco-friendly organisation from ground zero upwards and introducing sustainability in a holistic fashion." Meanwhile, Singh added, "We have had a fruitful meeting with the PATA committee officials and are keen to introduce their suggestions. We are waiting for some proposals and suggestions from the committee after which we will decide the course of action."

Speaking about the ways in which one can achieve carbon neutrality, Soin said, "One can work towards carbon neutrality in two ways - one by investing in companies that are into solar technology and the other by tree plantation which will result in an increase in oxygen and reduction in carbon dioxide which in turn will help India's fight against deforestation, enhancement of bio-diversity and helps sustaining micro climates." Internationally, KLM has pledged to offset four million tons of carbon dioxide in the next four years. It is doing it in collaboration with the Dutch branch of the World Wildlife Federation.