New Delhi: On the initiative of Union minister of civil aviation (MoCA) Jyotiraditya Scindia, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to promote use of solar energy in the aviation sector across the globe.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in Montreal on the sidelines of 42nd session of ICAO on September 26. India is member of the ICAO along with France, whose transport minister Monsieur Clement Beaunne was also present during the conclusion of the MoU singing.
ISA, which is an alliance of 121 signatory countries and 32 partner organisation including many UN organisations, will help the aviation industry of the partner countries to reduce dependence of fossil fuel and provide technical support to increase usage of renewable energy by the aviation sector.
The idea of ICAO becoming partner of the ISA was first mooted by Scindia with ICAO president Salvatore Sciacchitano during their meeting in Montreal in May 2022.
In a period of four months, the MoU was agreed and concluded. The MoU was signed by Juan Carlos Salazar, secretary-general, ICAO and Joshua Wycliffe, chief of operations, ISA.
ISA works for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. ISA strives to devise cost effective and transformational solutions for using renewable energy to member countries with a particular focus in delivering on impact in LDCs and SlDCs.
The deal is significant for India, as it has pledged for Net Zero carbon goal in 2070 in COP 26. Its approach continues to be human-centric, based on respect and national ownership principles, with commitment to one and all.
“India has pledged a target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy of which 100 GW will be solar energy by 2022 and reduction in emission intensity by 33-35% by 2030, to let solar energy reach the most unconnected villages and communities. Cochin International Airport in India became the world’s first fully Solar powered airport in the world in 2015,” said an officials of the MoCA.
India, with the support of France, has invited nations to facilitate infrastructure for implementation of solar projects. The alliance has committed one trillion dollars as investment, and it is committed to making the costs of solar power more affordable for remote and inaccessible communities.
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ICAO is committed towards reducing carbon emissions in aviation sector through its numerous initiatives and goals. In this noble initiative, partnership between ISA and ICAO through this MoU could not have come at a better time, as it will trigger a range of interventions towards developing capacity of states to use solar energy. It will work towards providing information, providing advocacy, capacity building and demonstration projects. It will enable the solarization of aviation sector across all member states.
