The first "Aviation Climate Week" organized by ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, has successfully concluded. The event brought together over 500 delegates aiming to accelerate global aviation's path toward the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Held from June 2 to 4 at the ICAO headquarters in Montréal, the meeting marked significant progress on several key environmental initiatives, bolstering international momentum ahead of critical environmental discussions at the ICAO Assembly scheduled for next September.

Over the course of the three days —reported in a press release dated June 10— prominent representatives from governments, industry leaders, academics, and civil society experts delved into crucial topics. The sessions encompassed a broad spectrum of subjects, ranging from emerging technologies to operational improvements, the transition to clean energy, support for implementation efforts, climate finance, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), non-CO2 emissions, "green" airports, climate adaptation, and recycling.

“The decisions already taken by ICAO must now be implemented, and the objectives we have set must now become reality, both with the utmost urgency", stated Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the ICAO Council, during the opening panel. He urged participants to maintain the current momentum, confident that the foundations laid will enable even more ambitious and coordinated climate actions in the years ahead.

A central theme of the Climate Week was unlocking climate finance, with discussions focused on facilitating access to funds for aviation decarbonization projects. ICAO and IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) announced the upcoming launch of a new web platform, expected to debut at the ICAO Assembly. This initiative, the first of its kind, will serve as a bridge between project developers and potential investors, streamlining access to financing for sector decarbonization. Both organizations emphasized their cooperation to operationalize the ICAO Finvest Hub, leveraging IRENA's experience with its Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform.

Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary General, underscored: “Our ambitious global goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 cannot be achieved unless SAFs—Sustainable Aviation Fuels—and LCAFs—Low Carbon Aviation Fuels—along with clean energy solutions are scaled up across all regions". He added that the Finvest Hub represents one of ICAO’s pivotal responses to this challenge, symbolizing a shift from planning to implementation, from commitments to capital, and from vision to velocity.

Another significant moment during the week was the celebration of the three-year milestone of the ICAO Assistance, Capacity-Building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) program. The event brought together partners and contributors to the ICAO Voluntary Environmental Fund, acknowledging their collective role in advancing sustainable fuels. Over 250 partners have joined the program, with 29 studies currently planned. ACT-SAF also advanced through a tripartite partnership agreement signed by ICAO, Airbus, and Volaris to conduct a feasibility study in Mexico, alongside Switzerland’s announcement of a new contribution.

Finally, Jane Hupe, Deputy Director of ICAO’s Air Transport Bureau for Environmental Protection, announced the release on ICAO’s public website of the ICAO Environmental Report 2025, showcasing the aviation sector’s progress and commitment across a wide range of environmental issues. The Organization’s Assembly will convene at ICAO headquarters from September 23 to October 3, 2025, bringing together all 193 Member States to deliberate and adopt binding resolutions of strategic importance for the safe and sustainable development of global air transport.