In 2010 ICAO launched the State Action Plan (SAP) initiative to enable all Member States to establish a long-term strategy on reducing CO2 emissions from aviation activities. By involving all related stakeholders, nationally and internationally, the SAPs provide ICAO Member States with a range of options for combating the growth and effect of carbon emissions on the environment. SAPs also enable ICAO to continue to monitor progress achieved by States towards the global aspirational goals of 2 percent annual fuel efficiency improvement and carbon-neutral growth from 2020.
Ten years after the launch, 121 ICAO Member States have voluntarily submitted SAPs, representing 97.52% of global RTK. This includes submissions of SAPs by 16 out of the 39 ICAO APAC Member States. Building on these achievements for the 10th anniversary, ICAO APAC Member States have a significant opportunity to reaffirm their commitment for a better future environment by preparing or updating and submitting their SAP to ICAO as soon as possible.
ICAO continues to support States through the comprehensive SAP capacity-building programme. In addition to utilizing ICAO’s dedicated guidance, training resources, and tools, Member States are also able to receive or provide SAP assistance, on a collaborative, State-to-State basis, through the ICAO SAP Buddy Programme.
The Webinar held on 22 April 2021 was opened by ICAO APAC Acting Regional Director, Mr. Manjit Singh and attended by 69 participants from 20 APAC States and the industry. Participants were provided updates on the ICAO SAP initiative and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), including ICAO’s SAP capacity building and assistance activities. Participants shared experiences and lessons learned from the SAP Initiative, and reaffirmed contacts with the ICAO environment team with other SAP Focal Points.
In his opening remarks, the ICAO APAC Acting Regional Director encouraged the participants to take full advantage of the information and knowledge shared through this Webinar and to prepare or update and submit their State’s SAP in 2021, including innovative measures and action plans that are practical and concrete.