41st ICAO reaches agreement on net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

Montreal, Canada | Xinhua | The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) announced Friday it has reached historic agreement on a goal of net-zero carbon emissions for international flights by 2050.

Member states meeting at the ICAO assembly in the Canadian city of Montreal have adopted a collective long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, one of the only global sector-specific climate goals, according to ICAO.

ICAO said on social media that LTAG aligns international aviation with the Paris Agreement and follows a commitment by the industry itself last year.

ICAO works with its 193 member states to set and audit safety, security, emissions, navigation, and facilitation standards to shape and improve international air operations. ICAO assemblies take place once every three years.

The 41st assembly is held from Sept. 27 to Oct. 7 at ICAO’s Montreal headquarters, during which member states and representatives from international organizations have established ICAO’s priorities, supporting the increased sustainability and digitalization of 21st century air transport.