During the third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels, the international aviation sector has taken a giant leap to accelerate decarbonisation.
By the adoption of a new global framework for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other clean energies, ICAO and its member states have agreed to attempt to reduce CO2 emissions by 5 per cent by 2030.
Key elements of the framework include a collective vision for the clean energy transition, harmonised regulatory foundations, supporting implementation initiatives and improved access to financing for related initiatives so that “no country is left behind”.
In pursuing the vision, each state’s special circumstances and respective capabilities will inform their ability to contribute to the vision within their own national timeframes, without attributing specific obligations or commitments in the form of emissions reduction goals.
Salvatore Sciacchitano, ICAO council president, said: “The role of the framework is to facilitate the scale-up of the development and deployment of SAF, LCAF and other aviation cleaner energies on a global basis, and mainly by providing greater clarity, consistency and predictability to all stakeholders, including those beyond the aviation sector.
“Investors, governments and others all need greater certainty regarding the policies, regulations, implementation support, and investments required so that all countries will have an equal opportunity to contribute to, and benefit from, the expansion in the production and use of these fuels and the expected emissions reductions they will lead to.”
ICAO secretary general, Juan Carlos Salazar, added: “Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require substantial and sustained investment and financing over the coming decades.
“We must furthermore assure reliable and affordable support and capacity-building for those states with particular needs, as they will be depending on it to help play their part.”
ICAO says its framework will support the clean energy transition needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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