Governments Adopt Global Aspirational Target of Net-Zero 2050 for International Flight Operations
The business aviation industry applauds the recent announcement by governments convened at the 41st ICAO Assembly of a long-term aspirational target of net-zero aviation emissions by 2050.
The long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) will be achieved by the combined effect of several CO2 emission reduction strategies, such as the widespread adoption of new and innovative aircraft technologies, optimised flight operations, and enhanced production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
President of the ICAO Council, Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano, said:
"States’ adoption of this new long-term goal for decarbonised air transport, following the similar commitments from industry groups, will contribute importantly to the green innovation and implementation momentum which must be accelerated over the coming decades to ultimately achieve emissions-free powered flight."
ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar said:
"Countries have achieved some tremendous and very important diplomatic progress at this event, and on topics of crucial importance to the future sustainability of our planet and the air transport system which serves and connects its populations."
States at the ICAO Assembly also emphasised the importance of viable financing and investment support for meeting the new CO2 emissions target and fully supported the new ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building, and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) programme to accelerate the availability and use of SAF – requesting, in addition, a third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels in 2023.
Other major environmental developments at the 41st ICAO Assembly included the completion of the first periodic evaluation of the International Aviation Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme (CORSIA). Countries agreed on a new CORSIA baseline beginning in 2024, defined as 85% of CO2 emissions in 2019, as well as revised percentages for sectoral and individual growth factors to be used in calculating offsetting needs beginning in 2030.
Source: ICAO
