During the Third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3), held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 20 to 24 November 2023, the international aviation sector has taken a giant leap to accelerate its decarbonization.

By the adoption of a new ICAO Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other Aviation Cleaner Energies, ICAO and its Member States have agreed to strive to achieve a collective global aspirational Vision to reduce CO₂ emissions in international aviation by 5 per cent by 2030, compared to zero cleaner energy use.

Key elements of the Framework include a collective Vision for the clean energy transition, harmonized regulatory foundations, supporting implementation initiatives, and improved access to financing for related initiatives so that “No Country is Left Behind.”

HCAA Governor, Dr Christos Tsitouras with the President of ICAO, Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano

The role of the Framework is to facilitate the scale-up of the development and deployment of SAF, LCAF and other aviation cleaner energies on a global basis, and mainly by providing greater clarity, consistency, and predictability to all stakeholders, including those beyond the aviation sector.  All countries will have an equal opportunity to contribute to, and benefit from, the expansion in the production and use of these fuels and the expected emissions reductions.

“Greece is committed to advance ambitious actions to reduce aviation CO₂ emissions, so as to limit the global average temperature increase and the negative impacts of Climate change. It is so important to achieve air transport sustainable development, which is an essential economic pilar for all counties by supporting tourism, trade, connectivity, and economic growth” emphasized HCAA Governor, Dr. Christos Tsitouras in his High-level Panel Statement, where representatives of States expressed their expectations for CAAF/3, during the opening ceremony of CAAF/3.

“Greece supports a Global Framework that sets out the policies, measures, and support mechanisms that ICAO and its Member States should implement to facilitate the global upscaling of SAF in all regions. And therefore, we should build upon ICAO’s existing structures and frameworks, including the CORSIA sustainability framework, to avoid duplication and unnecessary complexity”.

HCAA encouraged all member States, ICAO, and other aviation stakeholders to continue with their support to States under ACT-SAF initiative and with provision of voluntary funding for capacity building, so as no countries are left behind and all together support this aspirational aviation path towards sustainability and carbon neutrality.

HCAA Governor, Dr Christos Tsitouras with the Secretary General of ICAO, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar

For more information about ICAO / CAAF/3, please visit: https://www.icao.int/Meetings/CAAF3/Pages/default.aspx

ICAO Press Release for CAAF/3:

https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/FR/ICAO-Conference-delivers-strong-global-framework-to-implement-a-clean-energy-transition-for-international-aviation.aspx

For full Statement of Greece in High-level Panel and Statements, please visit: https://www.icao.int/Meetings/CAAF3/Pages/Statements.aspx