ICAO Champions Aviation Decarbonisation Campaign, Secures Global Collaboration at COP29
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has intensified its commitment to decarbonising aviation, rallying international support at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29).
Under the leadership of ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano, key discussions centred on transitioning the aviation sector towards clean energy solutions.
On the opening day of COP29, ICAO hosted a pivotal briefing at the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Pavilion.
The session spotlighted the aviation sector’s contributions to achieving the UN’s SDG 13 on climate action.
A landmark achievement during the session was Azerbaijan’s State Civil Aviation Agency joining the ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (ACT-SAF) programme.
The programme, which now includes over 200 partners, aims to advance the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels globally.
Speaking at the event, President Sciacchitano reiterated ICAO’s resolve: “While international aviation continues to play a pivotal role in global connectivity and economic growth, ICAO and its 193 Member States are committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in support of the Paris Agreement’s temperature goal.
“Achieving the clean energy transition for aviation will require unprecedented efforts and collaboration towards capacity-building support and access to financing for the production and use of sustainable fuels.”
President Sciacchitano further addressed global leaders at the High-level Roundtable on Energy: Advancing Climate Mitigation Action, held during the COP29 World Leaders Climate Action Summit on 12 November.
He outlined aviation’s strides towards clean energy transition, driven by ICAO’s initiatives.
In parallel with the conference sessions, President Sciacchitano engaged in high-level diplomatic meetings to address challenges in aviation’s climate response.
He met with H.E. Mr Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, and held strategic discussions with other prominent leaders, including IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera, and UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Noura Hamladji.
The discussions yielded several critical outcomes, including a consensus on addressing emissions from international transport sectors, progress under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to enable aviation access to eligible carbon credits via the ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
Additionally, steps towards operationalising the ICAO Finvest Hub, designed to attract investment in clean energy aviation projects, were addressed.
ICAO raised concerns about potential aviation taxation approaches during COP29 discussions.
Member States emphasised the sector’s substantial financial needs for climate action, cautioning against measures that could undermine air connectivity, particularly for developing nations.
ICAO’s presence at COP29 continued through 22 November, featuring programming for Energy Day on 15 November and Transport Day on 20 November, led by Jane Hupe, ICAO Secretary General’s envoy to the UNFCCC COP.
These engagements further aligned with global efforts in advancing aviation’s clean energy goals.
With its footprints at COP29, ICAO’s leadership underscores its unwavering dedication to climate action, reaffirming aviation’s critical role in achieving a sustainable future.
