AI to receive Montreal Protocol Public Awareness Award

Mumbai, Sep 14 (UNI) Air India, one of the largest developing-country airlines, has become a forerunner in taking up the cause of environmental protection.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, Air India has been selected to receive the prestigious Montreal Protocol Public Awareness Award.

The award, which is presented by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and is in recognition of Air India's efforts in protecting the ozone layer, would be given away in the presence of Nobel Prize winners who postulated the depletion of ozone layer and other high level dignitaries in Montreal on September 16.

Mr V Thulasidas, Chairman and Managing Director of National Aviation Company of India Ltd, who is also a member of the Board of Governors of IATA, is scheduled to receive the award in Montreal, an Air India release said here today.

Air India has undertaken a number of awareness raising activities related to the issue of Ozone layer protection and other environmental issues. These include conservation of energy, forests, and other natural resources through inflight magazines and videos.

Later Air India, spread the activities to Global Reporting Initiative and also hosted discussions on climate change related issues.

The airline industry is not a significant contributor to the two most important global environmental issues: ozone layer protection and climate change. However, Air India would like to be in the forefront to utilise its infrastructure to spread awareness on these issues, as well as to take action within its business operations to improve energy and efficiency, the release said.

As a next step, Air India is planning to launch the Air Lines Forum in India for collective action to protect the environment, the release added.

UNI