The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has successfully garnered international support for the aviation sector’s decarbonization efforts at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29).
ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano led key discussions on the sector’s clean energy transition, highlighting the critical role of collaboration in achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
On the opening day of COP29, ICAO hosted a strategic briefing session at the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Pavilion. The session showcased the latest advancements in international aviation’s contributions to climate action, particularly in support of SDG 13 on climate action.
Notably, the Azerbaijan State Civil Aviation Agency, part of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, joined over 200 international partners in the ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building, and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (ACT-SAF) programme.
“International aviation continues to be a cornerstone of global connectivity and economic development,” said President Sciacchitano.
“ICAO and its 193 Member States remain committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, in alignment with the Paris Agreement’s climate goals.
However, reaching this target will require unprecedented global collaboration, including robust capacity-building support and financing for sustainable aviation fuel production and use.”
President Sciacchitano also addressed the High-level Roundtable on Energy: Advancing Climate Mitigation Action during the COP29 World Leaders Climate Action Summit on November 12.
There, he presented ICAO’s progress in advancing aviation’s clean energy transition, outlining key steps toward sustainability.
In addition, Sciacchitano engaged in diplomatic talks with high-level figures including H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, to discuss the intersection of climate change and global aviation challenges.
He also met with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Noura Hamladji, and representatives from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
These discussions helped advance critical initiatives, including emissions reduction from international transport sectors and progress under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The meetings also focused on expanding the ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and furthering the operationalization of the ICAO Finvest Hub, designed to facilitate investments in clean energy projects for aviation.
ICAO stressed the need for financial support for climate action, while raising concerns about potential aviation taxation approaches, especially regarding the adverse impact on developing countries’ air connectivity.
ICAO’s engagement at COP29 continued through November 22, with key events during Energy Day on November 15 and Transport Day on November 20, led by Jane Hupe, ICAO’s Secretary General’s envoy to the UNFCCC COP.
With its active involvement at COP29, ICAO reinforced the urgency of addressing aviation’s environmental footprint and underscored the importance of global cooperation to achieve a sustainable, low-carbon future for international aviation.
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