Airports Champion Climate Action with ICAO
ICAO Greenlights Climate Action for Airports.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently hosted a two-day Green Airports Seminar in Athens, Greece (April 18-19, 2024).
The event, co-organised with the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority and opened by high-level officials from the Greek government, brought together stakeholders across the aviation industry to accelerate efforts towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Climate change is not a distant threat; it is a reality that demands our immediate attention and action. The decisions we make now will shape the world we leave behind for generations to come.” – ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar.
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Discussions at the seminar emphasised the critical role airports play in realising this goal. Key areas of focus included:
- Sustainable infrastructure and operations: This encompasses investments in energy-efficient technologies and processes within airports.
- Clean energy transition: Discussions highlighted the importance of airports adopting sustainable energy sources, such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), lower carbon aviation fuels (LCAF), and renewable electricity.
- Collaboration: The seminar stressed the need for airports to work collaboratively with airlines and other stakeholders to optimise flight paths and procedures for improved fuel efficiency.
ICAO’s Green Airports Seminar also spotlighted the aviation industry’s commitment to tackling plastic pollution.
Discussions showcased support for the ongoing work of UNEP in this area, along with the development of an international legal instrument to address plastic pollution.
