ICAO member states unite to meet 2050 net zero emissions

It has been the subject of controversy for years: can aviation achieve its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050? Finally, there are signs the goal is achievable following a landmark International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) session in Montreal. Associate editor and chief correspondent, Tom Ballantyne, reports.

October 1st 2025

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Persuading dozens of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member states to universally agree on anything has been near impossible for decades. Read More » But the most recent Assembly of the global body seems to have done just that; paving the way for aviation to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero in the next 25 years.

“Let this Assembly be remembered as one that set us firmly on track to transforming global aviation for generations to come. Let it be remembered as one where global ambition becomes global action,” declared ICAO Council President, Salvatore Sciacchitano.

“Aviation’s transition to a safe, secure and sustainable system is achievable. The decisions you have taken here will guide aviation for decades with a positive impact that will benefit all nations and people,” Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar, told delegates.

Their remarks were delivered to representatives of a record-breaking 192 Member States, with nearly 3,000 delegates attending two weeks of deliberations and decision-making.

They adopted a resolution supporting the reduction of carbon emissions to net-zero ensuring no country is left behind as air services grow in emerging economies.

The resolution accelerated aviation’s transition to a more sustainable and decarbonized future by achieving broader global cooperation, strengthening the international framework and laying the groundwork for increased investment, ICAO said.

Decisions made by the Assembly directly support the implementation of ICAO’s Strategic Plan for 2050. It aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions from international air transport, building on a Resolution adopted by States at the 2022 Assembly.

Universal agreement on resolutions such as this have been difficult to achieve at past Assemblies because of developing nations concerns their smaller airlines will be left behind because the cost of achieving sustainability is impossible to attain with their struggling economies.

Significantly, the ICAO breakthrough came just days after the release of a new study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in partnership with Worley Consulting, that established there are sufficient sustainable feedstocks and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) – a key component of reaching the target - production technologies to decarbonize aviation and enable the airline industry to meet the net zero carbon emissions goal.

“We now have unequivocal evidence that if SAF production is prioritized then feedstock availability is not a barrier in the industry’s path to decarbonization. There is enough potential feedstock from sustainable sources to reach net zero carbon emissions in 2050. However, this will only be accomplished with a major acceleration of the SAF industry’s growth.

There is optimism interest in the global SAF project pipeline is extremely strong. One report said in more than the last 10 years near 190 companies have announced their intentions to produce sustainable fuels across 330 locations worldwide.

However, out of these companies only 18 are producing SAF and only a few of them are producing at it at scale. This situation means 70 aspiring producers are at various stages of investment and development.

In another sign of SAF progress, major oil and gas companies, long accused of failing to come to the party where SAF production is concerned, have ramped up investments in biofuels, betting on SAF with 43 projects expected to be up and running by 2030, consultancy Rystad said in a report. The energy research firm indicates investments by industry giants such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, TotalEnergies and Eni could add 286,000 barrels per day (bpd) – more than 12 million actual gallons – of production capacity.

It does, however, remain a confronting target. This year, eight billion litres of SAF are being produced. By 2035, this needs to be 90 billion litres and by 2050, 449 billion litres.

IATA has set the figure at 500 million tonnes (Mt) of SAF to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the target year as it has outlined in its Net Zero Roadmap.

It can be achieved from two main sources:

Biomass which has the potential to produce more than 300 Mt of bio-SAF annually by 2050 although some of this potential could be limited from or competing sources.

This potential could be expanded by unlocking additional feedstocks or through efficiency gains and technology improvements over intervening decades.

Power-to-liquid (PtL): This will be required to reach 500 Mt of SAF production annually by 2050. Maximizing the volumes of cost-effective bio-SAF will reduce pressure on e-SAF to bridge the gap.

IATA said in all cases, to maximize SAF output, it will be essential to improve conversion efficiencies, accelerate technology rollout, enhance feedstock logistics and invest in better infrastructure to scale up commercial facilities across all regions.

Nevertheless, the ICAO Assembly has given a clear mandate to pursue its long-term strategy, including a commitment to cleaner energy, with States endorsing the ICAO Global Framework for SAF, Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels and other cleaner energy sources.

It includes endorsement of the Framework’s collective target of 5% CO₂ reduction by 2030 and the policy, regulation, support and financing pathway it provides for achieving it.

It also clears the way for accelerated investment with the Assembly calling for the full operationalization of the ICAO Finvest Hub.

This Hub will connect decarbonization projects with public and private investors. It aims to address financing challenges, particularly in developing countries, by facilitating greater access to climate finance.

It also backs a strengthened commitment to the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), the world’s only global market-based measure for international aviation.

The Assembly reaffirmed the scheme’s environmental integrity and committed to increasing support to States through the ACT-CORSIA programme.

CORSIA is on track and continues to progress with enhanced participation and expanded coverage, IATA said.

ICAO said the decisions taken by the Assembly will provide crucial momentum to real and measurable progress led by the organization on environmental sustainability.

“This progress is demonstrated by increasing numbers of States submitting Action Plans on CO₂ Emissions Reduction Activities (154 compared with 33 in 2022), increasing voluntary participation in CORSIA, now at 130 States, and a growing number of sustainable aviation fuel plants worldwide. The broader participation and stronger commitments of these Resolutions also sent a resounding signal to governments, industry and investors alike that the global aviation community is united and determined to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

IATA has called on governments worldwide to urgently address the extremely limited supply of carbon credits available for airlines to fulfill their obligations under CORSIA.

Specifically, it calls on governments to issue Letters of Authorization (LoAs) which enable the release of CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs) for purchase by airlines.

The timely issuance of LoAs is key to creating a robust and transparent market for CORSIA EEUs and facilitating the successful implementation of CORSIA.

“CORSIA is a vital part of aviation’s global climate strategy. Through it, airlines mitigate their climate impact by funding verified emissions reductions in other sectors. In generating this climate finance CORSIA also plays a key role in both environmental and socio-economic progress, especially in developing countries. To unlock CORSIA’s climate finance potential and ensure its contribution to aviation’s decarbonization, states must authorize the release of EEUs. That is one of our top messages to the member states at the ICAO Assembly,” said ICAO Assistant Director Climate Policy, Yue Huang.

IATA forecasts airlines will require between 146 and 236 million EEUs in CORSIA’s first phase from last year to 2026. However, the current supply of CORSIA eligible units is limited to the 15.8 million credits made available by Guyana. To assist states in issuing LoAs, IATA has published guidance documents and offers practical tools and workshops.

The airline body says that in all cases, to maximize SAF output, it will be essential to improve conversion efficiencies, accelerate technology rollout, enhance feedstock logistics, and invest in better infrastructure required to scale up commercial facilities across all regions.

Achieving coordinated government policies to support innovation, and investment to create a fully functioning SAF market, unlocking new economic opportunities is vital, as is rallying regional leadership, with North America, Brazil, Europe, India, China, and ASEAN identified as key drivers of global SAF output.

“The report highlights the local and regional opportunities for SAF production to create jobs, stimulate economies and support energy security goals. Governments, energy producers, investors, and the aviation sector must work together, de-risk investment, and accelerate rollout. Policy certainty and cross-sector collaboration are essential to unlock the scale we need. The time to act is now—delays will only make the challenge harder,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.

“With this study it becomes clear that we can make SAF the solution it needs to be for aviation’s decarbonization. The potential to turn SAF feedstock into real SAF production is in the hands of policymakers and business leaders, particularly in the energy sector. The conclusion of this study is an urgent call to action. We have just 25 years to turn this proven potential into reality.”

IATA also points out that airlines are increasingly adopting sustainable practices to reduce their environmental impact, focusing on initiatives like SAF, waste reduction, and fleet modernization.

Key Sustainability Initiatives include:

Many airlines are investing in SAF, which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to fossil fuels.

Airlines are updating their fleets with newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft. For instance, modern aircraft can be up to 20% more efficient than older models, helping to reduce overall fuel consumption and emissions.

They are also implementing measures to reduce single-use plastics and cabin waste. For example, Air New Zealand has committed to removing millions of plastic items from its flights, which is expected to significantly cut down on waste and emissions.

Some airlines offer carbon offset programs, allowing passengers to compensate for their flight emissions by investing in environmental projects. However, this practice has faced criticism for potentially leading to “greenwashing” if not transparently managed.

Airlines are partnering with organizations and other stakeholders to develop and implement sustainability initiatives.

For example, Etihad Airways collaborates with Boeing to test sustainable fuel blends and improve fuel efficiency.