In our “ICAO’s Strategic Goals Explained” article series, we’re exploring the six Strategic Goals that will guide our global aviation vision through 2050. These goals reflect our commitment to a safe, secure, sustainable, and inclusive air transport system—one that connects the world and leaves no one behind.
Among these goals, environmental sustainability stands out as one of the most progressive. As aviation continues to grow, so does its responsibility to reduce its environmental footprint. Our Strategic Goal on Environmental Sustainability outlines a global path toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050, while ensuring that aviation operations and infrastructure are adapted to meet the challenges of a changing climate.
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A bold ambition for a greener future
A bold ambition for a greener futureThis fall, the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly will consider the adoption of the ICAO Long-term Strategic Plan for 2026–2050—a roadmap that defines the future of international aviation. The plan sets bold targets: zero fatalities from aviation accidents and net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century.
The Environmental Sustainability Goal reads:
“Strive to achieve the global long term aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050, and ensure that international aircraft noise and emissions are mitigated to the lowest level possible, in accordance with international provisions. Additionally, adapt aviation operations and infrastructure to the impacts from climate change.”
This goal demonstrates tangible progress toward strengthening aviation’s environmental protection, reflecting the growing global consensus that sustainability is fundamental to aviation’s future viability, resilience, and competitiveness.
Decarbonization
Achieving ICAO’s global aspirational goals of carbon neutral growth from 2020 (CNG2020) and Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will advance environmental sustainability. The aspirational goals are supported by the development and implementation of a basket of measures and initiatives, including:
- Aircraft technology and operational improvements.
- Aviation’s clean energy transition under the ICAO Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other aviation cleaner energies, adopted at the third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3). This includes the collective Vision of a 5% reduction of CO2 emissions in international aviation by 2030 through the use of aviation cleaner energies.
- The ICAO Roadmap, which outlines actions for achieving the CAAF/3 outcomes and the LTAG, through a balanced approach across the four building blocks of: 1) Policy and planning; 2) Regulatory Framework; 3) Implementation Support and 4) Financing.
- LTAG Monitoring and Reporting (LMR), supported by information from annual ICAO LTAG Stocktaking, ICAO Tracker Tools, State Action Plans for international aviation CO2 emissions reduction and other information sources.
- The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) which complements the broader basket of measures to help achieve CNG2020, by offsetting CO2 emissions that cannot be reduced through in-sector measures. For 2026, 130 States will be participating in CORSIA, and more States are encouraged to voluntarily participate in CORSIA to increase its environmental integrity, as the only global scheme for international aviation.
- Targeted and tailored capacity-building programs for developing countries and States with particular needs through ICAO’s Assistance, Capacity-building and Training programmes (ACT-CORSIA and ACT-SAF). To date, ACT-SAF has over 260 partners, and the ACT-CORSIA Buddy partnerships involve over 130 States.
- Access to financing for aviation decarbonization projects through the ICAO Finvest Hub, while other climate finance initiative or funding mechanism are under consideration, and enhancing international cooperation.
- Mitigation of aircraft noise and aircraft engine emissions, in line with ICAO’s environmental provisions, including the consideration of more stringent noise and CO2 standards.
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Emerging areas
ICAO is also advancing work in emerging areas of aviation environmental sustainability such as climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience, single-use plastics, recycling and circular economy, and deepening the scientific understanding of aviation’s climate impacts.
To help States and stakeholders respond to these emerging challenges, the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) has developed practical guidance materials on airports and operations. Further information and guidance materials related to adaptation and aviation are also available on ICAO’s website.
In 2024, ICAO also convened the ICAO Symposium on Non-CO2 Aviation Emissions to take stock of the latest scientific knowledge on non-CO2 aviation emissions and their impacts, and facilitate information sharing between ICAO and relevant stakeholders
The above holistic approach enables environmental protection and economic growth to go hand in hand—especially when supported by strong global cooperation. Details on the developments in aviation environmental protection can be found in the 2025 ICAO Environmental Report.
Innovation and opportunity
Environmental sustainability calls for innovation across all parts of the aviation ecosystem. From aircraft design to airport operations and regulatory frameworks, stakeholders will need to collaborate in new ways to make aviation greener, smarter, and more resilient.
At ICAO, our role includes facilitating global dialogue, setting standards and regulatory framework, and supporting the implementation of environmentally initiatives. We also help States strengthen their policy development and planning, as well as build capacity, so that they can benefit from and contribute to a more sustainable global system.
The inaugural ICAO Aviation Climate Week, held from 2 to 4 June 2025, exemplifies how diverse stakeholders came together to engage in meaningful dialogues to advance aviation environmental protection and innovation.
A system-wide transformation
Delivering on this goal will require the engagement and commiment of governments, industry, international organization, and civil society alike. Environmental protection is no longer a side objective—it is a defining feature of a safe, reliable, and responsible aviation sector.
By 2050, we aim to achieve a global aviation system that not only connects people and economies, but also respects the planet and supports the broader objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
This topic is also featured in our ICAO Explained video series, which highlights ICAO’s work on key global priorities. Watch the episode on Environmental Protection to learn more about how ICAO is supporting the path to net-zero carbon emissions. To read the next article in the ongoing series, “ICAO’s Strategic Goals Explained,” which explores the six goals guiding our work through 2050 here. The ICAO 2026-2050 Strategic Plan is shared below.
