Kochi Airport Bags Highest UN Environment Honour

CIAL was chosen for ‘action and inspiration’ category which recognizes individuals or organizations taking bold environmental steps and inspiring others to follow their green footsteps.

Cochin International Airport (CIAL) has been selected for the highest environmental honour ‘Champion of Earth Prize -2018’ instituted by the United Nations.

CIAL was chosen for ‘action and inspiration’ category which recognizes individuals or organizations taking bold environmental steps and inspiring others to follow their green footsteps.

The award will be presented at the festive social event of UN General Assembly to be held in New York on September 26, 2018.

The communique sent by Erik Solheim, United Nation’s global chief of environment and executive director, UNEP, to V.J.Kurian, Managing Director, CIAL said, “As the world’s first fully solar powered airport, you set an ambitious example that we hope many others will follow.”

Additionally, the airport became power neutral on August 18, 2015 with the help of a 12 MWP solar plant. The plant has been upgraded to 30 MWP in April 2018.

“The UN recognition would transcend CIAL’s green ideas to a global audience. By September 2018, the solar capacity at CIAL will be increased to 40 MWp, with a power potential of 60 million units per annum and resulting in a cost saving of approximately Rs 40 crore per annum to the airport. This will also avoid CO2 emissions by more than 9 lakh metric tons over the next 25 years, which is equivalent of planting 90 lakh trees or not driving 2400 million miles,” Kurian said.

Source: ET