ICAO Statement on ACI World’s Long Term Carbon Goal Study

Montreal, 8 June 2021 – ICAO continues to stress to national governments that current air transport sustainability priorities will require substantial and systemic infrastructure modernization.

We have also been emphasizing that States’ interrelated social, economic, and environmental sustainability objectives will depend on an effective, dependable framework of public investment to support green air aviation innovations.

Aviation connectivity is making critical contributions today to countries’ achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, under Agenda 2030, but there is also a growing worldwide expectation to explore the long-term decarbonization pathways for aviation based on ambitious, concrete targets.

The international airport community, represented and strengthened through its cooperation under Airports Council International, has already demonstrated leadership in realizing numerous green innovations and objectives, often on the basis of very effective public-private partnerships.

ICAO is therefore tremendously encouraged by the potential for net zero global airport operations by 2050 which has been revealed in this latest data. We’re also excited at what the future holds for the international aviation sector as it strengthens and expands its environmental coalitions through our Organization, and defines important new outlines of the industry’s long-term vision for net zero global connectivity.

Salvatore Sciacchitano                                                                   Fang Liu
ICAO Council President                                                                  ICAO Secretary General

Notes for editors

1. More information on ACI World’s Long Term Carbon Goal Study
2. Stay up to date with COVID-19 developments on ACI World’s dedicated news hub.
3. Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, was founded in 1991 with the objective of fostering cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring a global air transport system that is safe, secure, customer-centric and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2021, ACI serves 701 members, operating 1933 airports in 183 countries.

Media contacts

Anita Berthier
Director, Communications
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1254
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero