The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) says it has successfully rallied international support for aviation sector’s decarbonisation efforts, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).
This is contained in a statement sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, by ICAO.
The ICAO Council President, Salvatore Sciacchitano, led in crucial discussions on the sector’s clean energy transition at the event.
On the opening day, ICAO hosted a strategic briefing session at the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Pavilion, showcasing recent achievements in international aviation and climate change.
ICAO highlighted its contributions to the achievement of the SDGs particularly Goal 13, on climate action.
The session culminated in the Azerbaijan State Civil Aviation Agency joining over 200 partners in the ICAO Assistance, Capacity Building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (ACT-SAF) programme.
Sciacchitano said: “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.”
Sciacchitano addressed the high-level roundtable on: “Energy: Advancing Climate Mitigation Action.
Sciacchitano’s diplomatic engagements also included a significant bilateral meeting with Mr Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, addressing critical challenges facing global aviation in the context of climate change.
He also held high-level discussions with International Monetary Organisation Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera, and UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Noura Hamladji.
The strategic meetings advanced several crucial initiatives with key outcomes, including common approaches to addressing emissions from international transport sectors, and progress under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The progress will facilitate access to eligible carbon credits under the ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.
NAN reports that the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov. 11 to Nov. 22.
