Cochin International Airport is UN Champions of the Earth Winner 2018 in the category of Entrepreneurial Vision Champions of the Earth Award - an overview The Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honour, recognizes outstanding leaders from government, civil society and the private sector whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment. Every year, since 2005, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) honours individuals and organizations working on innovative and sustainable solutions. Award categories Champions of the Earth are celebrated in four categories: Policy leadership - Individuals influencing or advancing global, regional or national action through policy interventions to improve environmental outcomes. They shape the dialogue, drive commitments, and act for the good of the planet. Inspiration and action - Leaders taking bold steps to inspire positive change to protect our world. They lead by example, challenge behavior and inspire millions. Entrepreneurial vision - Visionaries challenging the status quo to build a cleaner future. They build systems, create new technology and spearhead a groundbreaking vision. Science and innovation -Trailblazers pushing the boundaries of technology for profound environmental benefit. They invent possibilities for a more sustainable world. Indian winner 2018 - Cochin International Airport Award Category: Entrepreneurial Vision The biggest and busiest airport of Kerala state in India, and the fourth busiest airport in India in terms of international traffic, Cochin International Airport became the world's first fully solar powered airport in 2015 – a project pioneered by Managing Director Vattavayalil Joseph Kurian. As one of the busiest airports in India, the authorities of the Cochin International Airport are taking rapid steps to curb the carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency. When the price of power jumped from 6 to 10 cents per unit of electricity in 2012, the authorities started to consider alternative powersources. At the time, solar power was becoming a more popular energy source. They wanted to explore the possibilities to harness this eco-friendly option and take advantage of our abundant sunshine as a tropical country. From 100 kilowatts in 2012, in 2018 the capacity was 29.5 megawatts of solar energy, providing the Airport with 120,000 units of power every day. The airport is 100 per cent reliant on renewable energy in all its daily operations - from powering the conveyor belts to the digital systems. There has been no drop in its efficiency or power supply; it also generates a surplus of energy which is banked for cloudy days or the monsoon season, when sunshine is less frequent. Besides dedicated solar plants, solar panels have been placed on terminal roofs, hangars, over a two-kilometre long canal and car parking area. Solar plants are in eight locations including the biggest plant which is spread over an area of 45 acres. After it became 100 per cent solar reliant, the government has taken a decision to encourage all airports to source at least two megawatts of power from solar power. Targets to ensure a benchmark power for the national grid are sourced from renewable sources is also in place. Source : UNEP