Montréal, 10 June 2025 — The inaugural ICAO Aviation Climate Week has concluded on a high note, setting the stage for accelerated international efforts to decarbonise the aviation industry. Held from 2 to 4 June at ICAO Headquarters in Montréal, the event brought together over 500 delegates from governments, industry, academia, and civil society to strengthen global collaboration in reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Throughout the three-day summit, participants engaged in sessions focused on the clean energy transition, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and implementation strategies aligned with ICAO’s Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels, Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), and other cleaner energy pathways.
On the opening day, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano emphasised the need for urgency:
“The decisions already taken by ICAO must now be implemented, and the goals we have set must now become reality – both with the utmost urgency. I urge all of you, as leaders, experts, and stakeholders, to carry this momentum forward.”
A key outcome of the week was the spotlight on climate finance. ICAO and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) announced the upcoming launch of a new web-based financing platform—the ICAO Finvest Hub—designed to link aviation decarbonisation project developers with potential investors. The platform builds on IRENA’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) initiative and is scheduled for official release during the upcoming ICAO Assembly in September.
ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar noted:
“Our global aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 cannot be achieved unless SAF, LCAF and clean energy solutions are scaled up in all regions. The Finvest Hub is one of ICAO’s important responses to this challenge. It is how we move from planning to implementation, from commitments to capital, from vision to velocity.”
Another milestone was the three-year celebration of the ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) programme. With more than 250 partners and 29 studies underway, ACT-SAF continues to be a cornerstone of ICAO’s sustainability strategy. Notable announcements included a tripartite agreement with Airbus and Volaris to explore SAF feasibility in Mexico, and a new financial contribution by Switzerland to support the programme.
Additionally, ICAO revealed that the 2025 ICAO Environmental Report is now publicly available, highlighting progress across climate adaptation, green airports, recycling, and operational improvements.
Looking ahead, the 41st ICAO Assembly, scheduled for 23 September to 3 October 2025, will be pivotal. Delegates from all 193 ICAO Member States will gather in Montréal to adopt binding resolutions on the future of sustainable air transport.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: ICAO
