Aviation has always been more than a way to get from A to B. It connects cultures and economies, transporting more than 4.4 billion people every year, accounting for almost 4% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and facilitating a third of global trade by value. There are only a few industries that carry such a visible footprint on societies and economies around the world. With this footprint comes an equally visible responsibility.
The sector has already made substantial progress to reduce its climate impact. Since 1990, airlines have improved fuel efficiency by 55%, avoiding an estimated 14.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ over the last 35 years. Fleet renewal continues, with more fuel-efficient aircraft replacing older models. The whole air transport sector – from airports and air navigation service providers to airlines and manufacturers – has taken measures to increase efficiency in our skies and on the ground. These achievements matter, but they also highlight the scale of the challenge ahead: transforming an industry so deeply tied to fossil fuels.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been instrumental in bringing governments and the industry together behind a shared vision for the future of civil aviation. Three years ago, the 41st ICAO Assembly adopted a long-term goal for international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This was a historic agreement that reinforced the leadership of ICAO on uniting all stakeholders behind climate action.
Since then, ICAO has played a key role in fostering collaboration to implement measures that will support the industry on its path to 2050. The implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation – or CORSIA – provides the first-ever global market-based measure to address emissions growth, offering a framework for both accountability and collaboration across borders, with 130 States volunteering to participate in the first phase of the scheme. Initiatives such as ACT-SAF and the FinvestHub are just some of the tools that ICAO provides to drive cross-industry collaboration and capacity building.
As governments prepare for the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montréal next week, aviation’s climate commitments are once again under scrutiny. Critics point to the slow pace of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and uncertainty about whether the industry can realistically deliver on its 2050 goal.
That said, real momentum is building. Around 50 airlines accounting for more than a third of global passenger traffic have signed offtake agreements for SAF while 45 countries covering over 65% of global jet fuel use are implementing or considering SAF policy options.
Yet, despite all this progress, the ramp-up of SAF has been slower than expected, playing into the hands of those who say it’s impossible to decarbonise a sector that relies so heavily on fossil fuels. And yes, the clock is ticking. But the mission is far from impossible. There is still time to move the needle – if we act now.
Net zero is not something that airlines, airports, governments or fuel producers can deliver on their own. Reaching this goal demands collective action. It’s about collaboration between each stakeholder to put the right measures into place to drive progress.
Yes, each of us needs to contribute, but the responsibility is shared: Governments must provide the right policy frameworks to de-risk investment in new fuel plants and technologies; energy providers must truly commit to the production of SAF; financial institutions must help fund SAF plants and decarbonisation infrastructure while the aviation industry itself must hold on to its commitment and double down on efficiency measures. In short: multi-stakeholder collaboration isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s the make-or-break factor for reaching aviation’s long-term climate goal.
Looking ahead, ICAO’s role will only grow in importance. It provides the unique forum to work towards common standards. Its ability to set global frameworks to support the ramp up of SAF, the adoption of new technologies or preparing our airspace for the future is what is needed to turn ambition into action. As the pace of innovation accelerates, ICAO’s task is not just to align States on the most pressing issues, but to support in setting coherent policies across regions, avoiding a patchwork of regulations.
Without united action, progress risks stalling. With it, the industry can prove that climate ambition and global connectivity are not mutually exclusive. The time for united action is now.
ATAG submitted two working papers to the 42nd ICAO Assembly, providing guidance on how industry and governments collaborate to accelerate climate action and to highlight aviation’s contributions to the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development.