Speeding the green corridors for competitive trade
Since the sustainability becomes an inconceivable element in global trade, the air conditions sector-who is responsible for an estimated 2 percent of CO₂ global emissions-enhances itself at a strategic crossroads. Amid increasing expectations from both organizers, clients and investors, this sector is exposed to increasing pressure to develop environment, social and governance frameworks (ESG) with credibility – not as a subsequent idea, but as an essential infrastructure for commercial competitiveness.
This urgency was brought in the acute focus during the annual Air Farming Forum (ACFI) 2025 in a pivotal session entitled “Green Corridors and Sustainable Commercial Corridors – ESG ESG from AirFeright.” The committee, which includes airport operators, recharge integration, ground treatments, and global policy sounds, explored the complex path towards the non -trained shipping supply chain – and the institutional gaps that remain.
Market access gates
Sustainability, which was once a reputation, has become a condition for the gate temperature to reach trade – especially with Europe and North America. European Union emissions system (ETS), which since 2024 covers all flights inside Europe, and will increase Corsia in carbon (carbon compensation and reduction scheme for international aviation), which enters the first mandatory stage in 2027, from the pressure of compliance with shipping operators from OECD countries.
Glenn Hughes, Director General of the International Air Cargo Society (Tiaca) said: “If the air industry in India is unable to report, reduce and verify emissions in line with international standards, then its arrival in the distinguished commercial corridors will decrease.”
Hughes urged stakeholders in the Indian government and the private sector to accelerate compatibility with global reporting protocols and carbon compensation plans. He warned that failure to work will be a regulatory incompatibility-which effectively creates commercial barriers.
From infrastructure to climate empowerment factors
Kadhir Kadiravan, Executive Vice President of the GMR Hyderabad Airport, highlighted the advanced role of airports as ecosystems. “We are no longer just a material infrastructure – we are infrastructure for the climate,” he said.
Hyderabad Airport, which is widely recognized for its early green investments, has reduced emissions at the goods station by 17 percent since 2022. This was achieved through the Electrology of Earth Support Equipment (GSE), increased solar power, and energy -saving cooling systems. However, Kadhiravan warned of early celebration. “We have built experimental projects, but scaling this through shipping airports in India requires unification and support for politics and investment in SAF [sustainable aviation fuel] Infrastructure. “
It is worth noting that the availability of SAF in India is still minimal. According to the IRNA, India produced less than 50,000 tons of alternative aviation fuel in 2023, compared to 1.5 million tons of the European Union.
Blind sector emissions spot
While aircraft emissions attract the most organizational audit, emissions from ground processes are still largely unorganized-although there are up to 30 percent of airport-related emissions, according to industry estimates.
“The processes are often” invisible carbon “in the field of air logistics services,” indicated by Anubama Kashhab, head of commercial ads in global flight services (WFS). “But if we are serious about ESG, they will not be able to stay blind.”
WFS data indicates that the electrified Earth processing equipment can reduce the emissions on the site by 40 percent. However, India’s accreditation is still less than 15 percent, mainly due to fragmented and limited capital models. Kachhap suggested linking ESG performance with concession and access to the goods station, using commercial cranes to push behavioral change.
