As airports take on a growing role in supporting aviation decarbonization and strengthening climate resilience, attention is increasingly turning to the practical measures, infrastructure and partnerships needed to turn environmental objectives into action. The ICAO Green Airports Seminar 2026, taking place from 29 to 30 October 2026 in Cairo, Egypt, will bring together States, airport operators, airlines, air navigation service providers, financial institutions, academia, international organizations and other stakeholders to exchange experiences and explore solutions for more sustainable and resilient airport development.
It has only been a year since the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly, this two-day Seminar will focus on translating its environmental outcomes into practical, implementation-focused action.
Decarbonizing airports: from operations to infrastructure
The focus on the first day of the Seminar will focus on the measures airports and other operational stakeholders can take to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance, as well as the infrastructure needed to support aviation’s transition to cleaner energy. Discussions will begin by looking at airport infrastructure trends and how airports are responding to an evolving global context, including the implications for environmental initiatives and the cleaner energy transition.
Participants will also examine operational and infrastructure measures for reducing aircraft emissions. The programme includes discussion of scalable approaches, including digital and AI tools, as well as transparent monitoring of fuel burn and CO₂ savings relevant to ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) and State Action Plans.
Attention will also turn to airports’ own operations and energy systems, including measures to reduce operational emissions and prepare for increased energy demand. The programme takes a broader look at environmental performance as well, with discussions covering noise management, emissions reduction, biodiversity preservation, resource circularity and community engagement. A special dialogue will examine sustainable plastic management across airports and airlines.
Later sessions will consider the role of airport infrastructure in supporting sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), lower carbon aviation fuels (LCAF) and other emerging energy solutions. Participants will also look ahead to airport infrastructure readiness for new aircraft and aviation technologies, including electrified and hydrogen-powered ground support equipment, advanced air mobility and alternative propulsion technologies.
Strengthening climate resilience
The second day will focus on climate adaptation and resilient airports, beginning with an overview of ICAO’s work on climate adaptation and the recently published Climate Adaptation Synthesis Report. Sessions will examine how changing climate conditions are expected to affect airport infrastructure and operations and provide opportunities to share experiences and examples of climate impacts and adaptation in aviation.
The programme will shift from understanding climate risks to addressing them, considering how resilience can be incorporated into airport infrastructure, planning and operations. Discussions will also explore practical approaches to implementing adaptation measures at scale, including the role of financing and partnerships in supporting more climate-resilient airport development.
From environmental objectives to implementation
Across both days, the Seminar will provide a platform for exchanging experiences, showcasing solutions and strengthening collaboration. By bringing together policy, operational, infrastructure and implementation perspectives, the discussions will explore how airports and their partners can support aviation’s environmental objectives while strengthening the resilience of infrastructure and operations.
The ICAO Green Airports Seminar 2026 will be held as an in-person event at The St. Regis Cairo, Egypt, on 29–30 October 2026. The preliminary programme is shared here. Speaker information and registration details are available on the ICAO Green Airports Seminar 2026 website, through the link below.
