We delivered a strong global framework for aviation’s clean energy transition

The international aviation sector took a massive leap to accelerate its decarbonization during the Third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3), that was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 20 to 24 November 2023. Together with our 193 Member States, we took a landmark decision to facilitate and upscale the development, production and deployment of aviation cleaner energies by adopting the ICAO Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other Aviation Cleaner Energies.

This agreement on the new Global Framework comes just one year after the adoption by the ICAO Assembly on the Long-term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2050, which had been agreed based on a technical analysis that highlighted that sustainable aviation fuels and other cleaner energies would have the largest potential to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Through the Global Framework, we can work with our Member States to achieve a collective global aspirational vision to reduce international aviation CO₂ emissions by 5 per cent by 2030, through the use of SAF, LCAF and other aviation cleaner energies.

This sectoral and collective vision is aspirational in nature, and it does not attribute specific obligations in the form of emission reduction goals to individual States. This will allow those States that can be more ambitious to further scale up their production capacity, while working together with other States that will need more time to develop aviation cleaner energies in their regions, according to their special circumstances and respective capabilities.

The Framework will ensure all States have equal opportunities to contribute to, and benefit from, the expected emissions reductions from such aviation cleaner energies, emphasizing the imperative that “No Country is Left Behind” in aviation’s cleaner energy transition.

The Framework is built across four building blocks: 1) policy and planning; 2) regulatory frameworks; 3) implementation support; and 4) financing. These building blocks are interconnected and will need to advance together to achieve the purpose of the Framework.

The Global Framework adopted by CAAF/3 provides regulatory foundations for the harmonized fuel sustainability certification and life cycle emissions assessment, by accepting the CORSIA criteria and provisions as the basis for the eligibility of aviation cleaner energies used for international aviation, while requesting further work on fuel accounting methodologies.

This is based on the success of CORSIA implementation, which now sees 126 States voluntarily participating in the scheme, with a coverage of almost 100% of the CO₂ emissions reported annually through the CORSIA Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system.

The Framework also outlines a comprehensive set of assistance and implementation initiatives at all stages of the fuel-value chain, including through the ICAO ACT-SAF programme, a partnership involving over 140 States, industry and other organizations.

Access to financial resources is particularly crucial for the deployment of SAF and other cleaner energies for aviation, as the scaling-up of fuel production in support of the LTAG will require cumulative investments of around USD 3,200 billion by 2050, according to the ICAO LTAG Report. Concrete steps to facilitate financing are contained in the Framework, emphasizing that No Country must be Left Behind in aviation’s cleaner energy transition.

In this regard, financial and in-kind contributions to ICAO through the ACT-SAF programme will be key, together with further work on the operationalization of the ICAO Finvest Hub initiative, which will facilitate enhanced access to public and private financing for projects that will contribute to the decarbonization of international aviation.

The Global Framework adopted by CAAF/3 sends a clear signal to the international community regarding the continued leadership of ICAO in addressing emissions from international aviation. It also provides clarity, consistency and predictability to governments, public and private investors, industry and fuel producers, on policies, regulations, implementation needs, and investments required to support and unlock the full potential of aviation’s energy transition globally.

The Vision and the Framework implementation will be monitored and periodically reviewed, aspiring to have cleaner energy production facilities in all regions, before the convening of next CAAF/4 no later than 2028, and with a view to updating the ambition on the basis of future market developments.

An enormous amount of technical work has underpinned and led to the positive outcomes of CAAF/3. The recent updates to the short-term projections for SAF production by 2030 include over 100 new, additional announcements during 2023, illustrating that the clean energy transition in aviation is already taking place. In November 2023, the world also witnessed the first transatlantic flight flying on 100% SAF over such a distance.

Recordings from this event are available for on-demand viewing on ICAO TV here. In addition, these are some important SAF-related announcements that were made during CAAF/3:

• • UAE launches the “Air-CRAFT” initiative – a UAE based research consortium focused on developing, producing, and scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technologies.
  • ICAO and Airbus sign a Declaration of Intent with the aim of developing a project to explore the feasibility of SAF development and deployment in South America.
  • Emirates operates world’s first A380 demo flight powered by 100% sustainable fuel
  • ACT-SAF projects funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands projects will provide support to Chile and Jordan on conducting feasibility studies and carrying out sustainability certification support
  • ACT-SAF project funded by France will support Ethiopia and a second State to perform economic assessments of sustainable aviation fuel projects
  • The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) signs the ACT-SAF Terms and Conditions
  • The first three ACT-SAF feasibility studies, funded by the European Union, have been delivered to Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe

ICAO remains fully committed in leading the international aviation sector’s efforts towards Net-Zero 2050, in support of the Paris Agreement temperature goal. The historical decision by CAAF/3 marked the beginning of a new era where the consideration of aviation`s impacts on climate change take the forefront in shaping the future of air transport.