THE POSTAL HISTORY OF ICAO

 

Annex 16 – Environmental Protection

 

Developed by ICAO, the International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) contained in the nineteen Technical Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also called Chicago Convention) are applied universally and produce a high degree of technical uniformity which has enabled international civil aviation to develop in a safe, orderly and efficient manner.

 

The necessity to write provisions covering the negative sides of civil aviation became a serious concern in the early 1960s with the introduction of the first generation of jet aircraft and the acceleration of their use in international flights. In November 1966, the international conference on the reduction of noise and disturbance caused by civil aircraft (also known as the London Noise Conference) was held with the objective of reaching international solution through the machinery of ICAO. The following year, the Fifth Air Navigation Conference of ICAO held at Montréal in November 1967 made certain recommendations on the subject. Based upon these recommendations, the 16^th Session of the ICAO Assembly, held in September 1968 in Buenos Aires, adopted Resolution A16-3 calling for an international conference to consider the problem of aircraft noise in the vicinity of airports and seeking to establish international specifications and guidance material relating to aircraft noise.

 

Annex 16 - Environmental Protection

A Special Meeting on Aircraft Noise in the vicinity of aerodromes was held in Montreal from 25 November to 17 December 1969 with a view to preparing news standards related to aircraft noise. A draft Annex 16 on aircraft noise, arising from the work done by this Special Meeting, was processed. The Council formed the Committee on Aircraft Noise (CAN), to examine aircraft noise certification problems; this Committee held its first meeting from 28 September to 2 October 1970. The first SARPS of Annex 16 - Aircraft Noise were adopted by the ICAO Council on 2 April 1971, became effective on 2 August 1971, and applicable on 6 January 1972.

Resolution A18-11 adopted by the 18^th Session of ICAO Assembly held in Vienna in 1971 led to specific action on the question of engine emissions and detailed proposals for ICAO Standards for the control of engine emissions from certain types of aircraft engines. This resolution placed on ICAO the responsibility to guide the development of international civil aviation in such a manner as to benefit the people of the world and to achieve maximum compatibility between the safe and orderly development of civil aviation and the quality of the human environment.

The Aircraft Engine Emissions Study Group was established in 1973 as part of the ICAO Action Programme Regarding the Environment.  The Committee on Aircraft Engine Emissions (CAEE) was subsequently established in 1977 by the ICAO Council with a view to developing specific Standards for aircraft engine emissions; these Standards, adopted in 1981, set limits for the emission of smoke and certain gaseous pollutants for large turbojet and turbofan engines to be produced in the future; they also prohibit the venting of raw fuels. The scope of the existing Annex 16 was thus widened to include engine emission provisions and the document was retitled Environmental Protection. Volume I of the reorganized Annex 16 contains provisions related to Aircraft Noise, while Volume II contains provisions related to Aircraft Engine Emissions. ICAO also developed several guidance manuals on noise and emissions.

In 1983, the two above-mentioned Committees were amalgamated to form the Committee on Aviation Environment Protection (CAEP), as a Technical Committee of the ICAO Council (the only technical committee of the Council). Since its establishment, CAEP has further developed the Standards in Annex 16 for both aircraft noise and engine emissions. In 2013, CAEP was composed of 23 Members from all regions of the world and 15 Observers (5 States and 10 Organizations); moreover, approximately 600 internationally renowned experts are involved in CAEP’s activities.

 

In 2010, Delegates to the 37^th Session of ICAO Assembly adopted an unprecedented and historic global commitment on international aviation and climate change for a collective action among countries around the world —developed and developing— to limit and reduce carbon emissions from international aviation; it was named: State Action Plan on CO₂ Aviation Emissions Reduction. ICAO recognized that further work is necessary to define the path forward on implementation. The resolution on the environment makes ICAO the first United Nations Agency to lead a sector in the establishment of a globally harmonized agreement for addressing its CO₂ emissions. This initiative enables all ICAO Member States to voluntarily establish a long-term strategy on climate change for the international aviation sector, involving all interested parties at the national level. These parties are encouraged to work together to define a quantified baseline emissions scenario, select appropriate emissions mitigation measures from ICAO’s basket of measures, and calculate the expected results of implementing those selected measures. The basket of measures includes aircraft technology advancement, operational improvements, sustainable aviation fuels, and market-based measures. 

 

To support States in their efforts to quantify the environmental benefits of new operational initiatives, ICAO deployed the Fuel Savings Estimation Tool (IFSET) in 2011. IFSET was the first tool developed to calculate potential fuel savings and CO₂ emissions reductions, thereby supporting improved air navigation system planning activities and decision-making. The tool was designed to be applied globally with the ability to capture the difference in flight trajectory performance in terms of fuel consumption before and after the implementation of operational improvements at local, regional or global levels.

 

Further to the COP21 (Conference of the Parties No. 21, United Nations Conference on Climate Change) held in Paris from 30 November to 12 December 2015, the Council President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu stressed the fact that international aviation was not covered under the final agreement; he considered this to be a vote of confidence in the progress ICAO and the aviation community have achieved thus far, and in the ambitious aspirational goals for the coming decades.

 

At its 10^th meeting (CAEP/10, held in Montreal, Canada from 1 to 12 February 2016), the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) recorded significant progress in a number of critical areas, including recommendations for a global aircraft CO₂ design standard and for an aircraft engine non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) standard. It was the first time in its history that the CAEP recommended two standards in one meeting, paving the way for cleaner aircraft that have less impact on the environment. This historic achievement demonstrated ICAO’s leadership in setting environmental standards for global aviation.

 

On 6 March 2017, the 36-State ICAO Council has adopted a new aircraft CO₂ emissions standard which will reduce the impact of aviation greenhouse gas emissions on the global climate. Alongside the ICAO 39th Assembly’s landmark agreement in October 2016 on the new Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), this latest CO₂ standard for aircraft confirms the air transport sector’s leadership and concrete actions toward ensuring a sustainable and environmentally responsible future for global civil aviation. Contained in a new Volume III to Annex 16 of the Chicago Convention, the aircraft CO₂ emissions measure represents the world’s first global design certification standard governing CO₂ emissions for any industry sector. The Standard shall apply to new aircraft type designs from 2020, and to aircraft type designs already in-production as of 2023. Those in-production aircraft which by 2028 do not meet the standard will no longer be able to be produced unless their designs are sufficiently modified.

 

During its 214^th Session in June 2018, the ICAO Council made important headway on the key international standards supporting the UN aviation agency’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, or CORSIA. Its adoption of the First Edition of Annex 16, Volume IV, to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), came less than two years after ICAO’s Member States achieved their historic agreement on CORSIA at the Organization’s 39th Assembly, an emissions-offsetting first for any global industry sector. The CORSIA SARPs contain robust requirements for the Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) of international aviation CO₂ emissions. Also approved at the Council’s meeting was the 2018 version of the ICAO CORSIA CO₂ Estimation and Reporting Tool (CERT), which provides a simplified tool for small operators to monitor and report their CO₂ emissions, and further agreement was achieved around the specifics for a CORSIA Central Registry (CCR). The 12 June 2019 Session of the ICAO Council approved the 2019 version of the CERT, which adds features aimed at facilitating the reporting of fuel burn and CO₂ emissions. The adoption of CORSIA SARPs complements other elements in the basket of measures including the enhancement of air navigation efficiency, the adopted aircraft CO₂ certification standard and the long-term vision on the use of sustainable aviation fuels.

 

In summary, Annex 16 on Environmental Protection has 4 volumes, as follows:

1.    Volume I - Aircraft Noise. This volume contains the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for aircraft noise certification. It also covers international specifications relating to aircraft noise measurement and evaluation methods.

2.    Volume II - Aircraft Engine Emissions. This volume contains SARPs for aircraft engine emissions certification.

3.    Volume III - Aeroplane CO₂ Emissions.

4.    Volume IV - Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

 

Four Environmental Technical Manuals were developed, as follows:

1.    Volume I: Procedures for the Noise Certification of Aircraft. This manual provides guidance to States regarding the technical procedures to be used for noise certification and promotes uniformity of the implementation of the technical procedures of Annex 16.

2.    Volume II: Emissions Certification of Aircraft Engines. This manual provides guidance to States regarding the technical procedures to be used for emissions certification and promotes uniformity of the implementation of the technical procedures of Annex 16, Volume II, in order that the same degree of stringency is applied by all certificating authorities and that the same criteria for acceptance in approving applications for the use of equivalent procedures are used.

3.    Volume III: CO₂ emissions certification of aeroplanes. The aim of this manual is to promote uniformity in the implementation of the technical procedures of Annex 16, Volume III by providing: 1) guidance to certificating authorities, applicants and other interested parties regarding the intended meaning and stringency of the Standards in the current edition of the Annex; 2) guidance on specific methods that are deemed acceptable in demonstrating compliance with those Standards; and 3) equivalent procedures resulting in effectively the same CO₂ emissions evaluation metric that may be used in lieu of the procedures specified in the appendices of Annex 16, Volume III.

4.    Volume IV: Demonstrating compliance with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. The aim of this manual is to promote uniformity of the implementation of the technical procedures of Annex 16 - Volume IV by providing: 1) guidance to States, aeroplane operators, verification bodies and other interested parties regarding the intended meaning of the Standards in the current edition of the Volume; 2) guidance on specific methods that are deemed acceptable in demonstrating compliance with those Standards; and 3) equivalent procedures that may be used in lieu of the procedures specified in Annex 16, Volume IV.

 

As part of the continued implementation of CORSIA, the ICAO Council established the Technical Advisory Body (TAB) which is tasked with the assessment of the eligibility of emission units from programmes (and potentially project types) for compliance with the offsetting requirements of CORSIA. The programmes (and potentially project types) will be assessed by TAB in light of the criteria, which were approved by the Council and are available on the CORSIA website. TAB has held its first meeting from 27 to 29 May 2019 and agreed on the TAB work programme and timeline.

 

Aviation has developed in an environmentally sustainable manner, by agreeing on stringent engine emissions standards, effective operational measures and comprehensive environmental policies through the ICAO process. It is clear that the Organization has made significant progress in the environmental field and was proud to celebrate its 75^th anniversary.

 

Important civil aviation Environmental Protection outcomes were established at the 40th ICAO Assembly (held in Montreal from 24 September to 4 October 2019), including the strengthening of international resolve to move forward on the implementation of the CORSIA emissions offsetting solution for international flights and the basket of measures of environmental protection to reduce emissions. States’ decisions relevant to CORSIA included advancing work supporting CORSIA-eligible fuels and emission units, progressing the structure of the CORSIA central registry, and the continuation of ICAO’s ACT CORSIA capacity-building initiative, which has been of tremendous assistance to many national governments. With the 40th Assembly taking place during a period characterized by the world’s largest-ever climate marches (including one which passed right before ICAO’s doorstep on 27 September led by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg), it was recognized as an encouraging signal that governments reconfirm their resolve in support of the CORSIA global offsetting solution. While highlighting the successful adoption of the new fourth volume to Annex 16, and the ICAO-driven development and implementation of 116 State Action Plans to reduce aviation-related CO₂ emissions, further ICAO Assembly decisions called for prioritization of a long-term global aspirational goal for international aviation CO₂ emissions reduction, and the need for further elaboration of the 2050 ICAO Vision on Sustainable Aviation Fuel. States also acknowledged the excellent progress recently achieved through ICAO on the first aeroplane CO₂ emissions standard, and the non-volatile Particulate Matter standard for aircraft engines. They also called for ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) to prioritize an exploratory study on environmental impacts of new supersonic aircraft being developed. The 40th Session of the ICAO Assembly requested the ICAO Council to explore the feasibility of a long-term global aspirational goal for international aviation (LTAG).

 

On 13 March 2020, during its 219^th Session, the ICAO Council approved the eligible emission units for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), reaching another important milestone toward CORSIA global implementation supporting worldwide efforts against climate change. The Council’s decision follows on recommendations it received from the Technical Advisory Body (TAB) it established for this purpose, and establishes a set of eligible emissions units complying with offsetting requirements in the 2021-2023 pilot phase of CORSIA. The emission units are issued to activities which commenced as of 1 January 2016, and in respect of emissions reductions occurring through 31 December 2020, subject to each programme’s respective scope of eligibility.

 

On 22 June 2020, ICAO has officially launched the CORSIA Central Registry (CCR). The CCR is one of the five CORSIA “Implementation Elements.” It is a crucial step, as Volume IV of Annex 16 obliges States to fulfill their reporting requirements through it and by no other means. Access to the CCR is restricted to authorized users, who are nominated by the States. The CCR has been implemented as a secure cloud-hosted application supported by a database. It has been designed to store CORSIA-specific information and data on airplane operators, verification bodies, CO₂ emissions, CORSIA eligible fuels claimed, and cancelled emission units. The CCR will retain records from ICAO States for the duration of the Scheme.

 

Launched in 2010, ICAO’s State Action Plan on CO₂ Aviation Emissions Reduction initiative celebrated its 10^th anniversary in 2020. Since its creation, this initiative has been one of the most successful programmes with ICAO Members States. As of October 2020, 119 States, representing 97.39% of global international air traffic in revenue tonne-kilometers (RTK), have voluntarily submitted their State Action Plan to ICAO. The level of detail and quantified information submitted within a State Action Plan will ultimately facilitate ICAO’s assessment of the global progress toward meeting the two global aspirational goals for the international aviation sector: 2% annual fuel efficiency improvement through 2050; and carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards, as established at the 37th Session of the ICAO Assembly in 2010 and reaffirmed by subsequent Assembly sessions.

 

On 18 Mai 2021, Air France-KLM launched the first long-haul flight with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a biofuel produced entirely in France’s refineries. The Air France newest Airbus A350-900 flew from Paris to Montreal, the world capital of civil aviation, with a fuel mixture including 16% of sustainable fuel which avoided the emission of 20 tons of CO₂. It was part of efforts by the industry worldwide to experiment with alternative fuels as regulators and governments tighten emissions rules for the coming decades. In addition, the aircraft was serviced by the first 100% all-electric refuelling truck, developed in France, and by all-electric ground support equipment. The choice of destination for the sustainability-focused flight was no coincidence, as Montreal is the permanent seat of ICAO, the engineering UN body behind the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

 

During the second week of November 2021, the ICAO Council (at its 224th Session) approved new Sustainability Criteria for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) eligible under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), together with the compliance assessment guidance. “This approval should incentivize the production of SAF so that they can fulfill their important role in aviation’s green transition, and it also emphasizes the continuing importance of pursuing a globally harmonized approach to mitigating emissions from international aviation operations,” commented ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano.

 

In line with the “Air France ACT“, a programme that aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30% per passenger-km by 2030 compared to 2019, two of its flights left Paris-Charles de Gaulle, one to Montreal on 3 May 2022 operated by an Airbus A350, and the other to Lisbon on 4 May 2022 operated by an Airbus A220, to demonstrate how this objective can be achieved. The flight to Montreal was fuelled with 16% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF, a biofuel produced entirely in France’s refineries) and the flight to Lisbon with 30% SAF, compared with 1% currently used on flights leaving from France under the current regulations. These non-fossil fuels are produced from biomass such as used cooking oil. On the ground and onboard, the pilots implemented eco-piloting techniques, such as taxiing on a single engine on the ground and optimizing trajectories in real time, in coordination with air traffic control. The use of these methods enabled a reduction of close to 45% in CO₂ emissions on each of the two flights.

 

The ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) programme was officially launched at a Stockholm+50 on 2 June 2022; it was associated with a side event held at ICAO Headquarters in Montreal on 1 June 2022. ICAO ACT-SAF will provide opportunities for States to develop their full potential in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) development and deployment, in line with ICAO’s No Country Left Behind initiative, the 2050 ICAO Vision for SAF, and the three main pillars of sustainable development recognized by the United Nations: economic, social and environmental. The ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) report on the feasibility of a long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) for international civil aviation CO2 emission reductions shows the largest potential CO₂ reductions by 2050 (up to 55%) deriving from cleaner fuels and energy sources. New aircraft technologies are projected to contribute to a further 21% CO₂ reduction, while operational improvements will lead to another 11% reduction. ICAO will facilitate the ACT-SAF effort together with its Regional Offices and Technical Cooperation Bureau to provide ICAO implementation support in SAF to States, and will also need concerted support from States and industry in the coming months to roll out and build-up this new initiative.

Stockholm+50 (2-3 June 2022) commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which was the first global meeting to make the environment a pressing global issue and established international political goals. The Stockholm Declaration that resulted from this event raised the issue of climate change for the first time, warning governments to be mindful of activities that could lead to climate change, and to evaluate the likelihood and magnitude of climatic effects. 

 

Ministers and officials engaged in high level environment talks brokered by ICAO have urged countries to cooperate further through the UN agency toward a collective global long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in support of the Paris Agreement’s temperature target. The conclusions came on 22 July 2022 after four days of deliberations between Ministers and other high-level officials representing 119 countries at ICAO Headquarters in Montreal, with over 700 participants from States and International Organizations attending the hybrid Meeting. Recognizing that each State’s special circumstances and respective capabilities will inform the ability of each to contribute within its own national timeframe, while showcasing a collaborative spirit through constructive dialogue and respect for diversity, the new conclusions will aid a just and green transition for the decarbonisation of international aviation. The clear agreement on the global goal was underpinned by the landmark ICAO LTAG Report developed by the ICAO Council’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), which will continue to serve as a cornerstone for States’ aviation CO2 emissions reduction discussions during the 41st Session of the Assembly.

 

Starting on 1 January 2022, aeroplane operators compiled their 2021 CO2 emissions and verified them through the third-party verification process established under CORSIA. During 2022, the ICAO Council completed the first periodic review of CORSIA, which resulted in recommendations for adjustments to the Scheme that were adopted by the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly (held from 27 September to 7 October 2022) and have been incorporated in the Assembly Resolution A41-22 on CORSIA. States’ determination to enhance the environmental effectiveness of CORSIA has been reflected in the increase in the number of States voluntarily participating in CORSIA from 88 States in 2021, to 107 States in 2022, and to 115 States from 1 January 2023.

In 2023, the Council is expected to complete its work on the update of Annex 16, Volume IV and Doc 9501, ETM, Volume IV based on recommendations from the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), and on consequential changes as a result of the adoption of Resolution A41-22. ICAO will continue to support all States cooperating under the ACT-CORSIA programme and in the spirit of ICAO’s No Country Left Behind initiative.

 

In March 2023, the ICAO Council has updated a range of international aviation environmental standards as it continues to make progress during its 228th session. A new amendment to Annex 16 of the Chicago Convention helps to importantly clarify the monitoring, reporting, and verification requirements relating to the ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The same amendment defines a new CORSIA offsetting threshold for smaller airlines, confirms the offsetting calculation to be applied by new operators that don’t qualify as ‘new entrants’, and formalizes alignment adjustments relevant to related and recently updated ISO Standards, and the outcomes of the 41st ICAO Assembly last October. Additional progress was made by the Council on new Annex 16 amendments to address aircraft noise and aircraft engine emissions, relating mainly to their conformity and applicability requirements.

 

In June 2023, tor the first time, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) have been certified under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Making use of the two ICAO-approved Sustainability Certification Schemes designed for this purpose, the development marks a significant milestone for both SAF production and aviation climate action by States. The nine batches, totalling 1,542 tonnes of CO2 emissions reduction, were certified by ISCC and RSB and produced in China, the Netherlands, and the United States, by ECOCHEM, Neste, and WorldEnergy, respectively. They were produced from wastes and are characterized by 75% to 84% lower CO2 emissions compared to conventional aviation fuels. The process is based on the application of the Standards set forth in Annex 15.

 

During the Third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3), held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 20 to 24 November 2023, the international aviation sector has taken a giant leap to accelerate its decarbonization. By the adoption of a new ICAO Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other Aviation Cleaner Energies, ICAO and its Member States have agreed to strive to achieve a collective global aspirational Vision to reduce CO₂ emissions in international aviation by 5 per cent by 2030, compared to zero cleaner energy use. Key elements of the Framework include a collective Vision for the clean energy transition, harmonized regulatory foundations, supporting implementation initiatives, and improved access to financing for related initiatives so that “No Country is Left Behind.” Prior CAAF Conferences were held for the first (CAAF/1) in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) from 16 to 18 November 2009 and for the second one (CAAF/2) in Mexico City from 13 to 17 October 2017.

 

 

Beginning December 2023, ICAO addressed the COP28 Presidency Roundtable on Energy transition in Dubai where it informed the leaders in attendance on the outcome of the recently concluded third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3), particularly the adoption of an ICAO Global Framework for Aviation Cleaner Energies. “The adoption of this Framework sends a clear signal to the international community on the continued leadership of ICAO in addressing emissions from international aviation. ICAO remains fully committed in leading the sector’s efforts towards supporting the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement,” expressed ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano in his remarks to the high-level meeting. 

 

On 7 December 2023, ICAO and Google have announced a new collaboration focused on sharing expertise around methodologies for calculating carbon emissions and the broader decarbonization of the aviation industry. Under the scope of the new agreement, the two organizations will work together to identify opportunities for collaboration and improvement on the respective methodologies. This will empower the general public, industry stakeholders, and regulators to make informed, environmentally sustainable and science-based choices related to air transport. The ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator is the only calculator of its type to be approved by aviation regulators, and is presently used extensively by consumers, business, governments, international organizations, non-profit organizations, and UN system organizations. Google’s Travel Impact Model is a publicly accessible methodology for estimating flight emissions at the individual passenger level. Today, the Travel Impact Model helps people choose lower emitting flights by providing the carbon emission estimates on Google Flights and other online travel platforms, through Google’s collaboration with Travalyst.

 

On 13 May 2024, with the signature by H.E Talgat Lastaev, Vice-Minister of Transport, of the ACT-SAF terms of reference, Kazakhstan became the first State in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to join this key programme of the International Civil Aviation Organization. By doing so, Kazakhstan will benefit from assistance, capacity building and training to scale up the production and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). This is an important step showing the State’s commitment towards the sustainable development of aviation. This will in turn yield significant benefits for the sustainable socio-economic development of this landlocked, fast-growing country. The Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional intergovernmental organization in Eurasia.

 

Held from 30 April to 2 May 2024 in the Dominican Republic, the 3rd Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) event, held under the theme "Optimizing Aviation Capacity: Strategies for Safe Skies, Sustainable Future", was a resounding success. High-level leaders convened during the symposium to discuss balancing the economic and social benefits of air transport with the imperative to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Key discussions also focused on capacity development needs and implementation support activities to reduce aviation carbon emissions, aligning with the Global Framework adopted at the third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels in November 2023.

 

The path to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 presents the aviation industry with its greatest opportunity for innovation and growth; International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar told global airline leaders at the IATA Second World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) recently held in Miami on 24-25 September 2024, which brought together leaders from across the global aviation industry to discuss and strategize on key sustainability challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Mr. Salazar called for unprecedented collaboration to accelerate the sector’s green transition. "By successfully navigating this transition, we can strengthen aviation position as a driver of sustainable development worldwide, connecting people and markets while respecting environmental boundaries," he said. The Secretary General’s keynote outlined ICAO’s new long-term Strategic Plan 2026-2050, which includes the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 for international civil aviation operations. This plan builds on the Long-term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG) agreed upon by ICAO Member States in 2022 and the Global Framework on Sustainable Aviation Fuels established at the 3rd ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) in 2023.

A key focus of the address was the need for increased scaling up in the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). ICAO’s Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) programme was highlighted as a crucial initiative in this area. The Secretary General also introduced the ICAO Finvest Hub, a new platform aimed at linking clean energy project proposals with financing opportunities. The importance of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) was reaffirmed, with a call for continued industry support for its implementation. Mr. Salazar also touched upon ICAO’s recent symposium on non-CO2 aviation emissions, inviting industry expertise to contribute to this emerging area of study.

 

 

Spain WED - 1985

The World Environment Day (WED, celebrated on 5 June every year) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 on the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, resulting from discussions on the integration of human interactions and the environment. It is the United Nation's principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment. First held in 1974, it has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime. Each year, WED has a new theme that major corporations, NGOs, communities, governments and celebrities worldwide adopt to advocate environmental causes.

 

Serbia Earth Day – 2021

Every year on 22 April, the international Earth Day is recognized around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protection. 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of the Earth Day. In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honour the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be celebrated on 21 March 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature's equipoise was later sanctioned in a proclamation written by McConnell and signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later a United States Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed the idea to hold a nationwide environmental teach-in on 22 April 1970. He hired a young activist, Denis Hayes, to be the National Coordinator. Nelson and Hayes renamed the event “Earth Day.” Aviation is in essence, a technology-driven sector that has fulfilled humankind dream of flying. The action taken by ICAO on technology meant that aviation became the first sector to adopt a CO₂ aeroplane certification standard for both new and in-production aircraft. ICAO continues to see unprecedented development in technology, including in electric and hybrid aircraft and the consideration of other energy sources, with some small electric aircraft that have already been tested.

 

 

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