International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
1. From November 2024 to October 2025, has the governing body of your organization taken any decisions, including in the context of the Pact for the Future implementation and/or the UN80 Initiative, that are related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals? If yes, please briefly mention these decisions and provide their respective symbols and links.
International aviation contributes to 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the 42nd session of the ICAO Assembly (23 September to 3 October 2025), ICAO reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
There was overwhelming support for the ICAO environmental resolutions, including Resolution A42-20 on Environmental Protection – General provisions, noise and local air quality. Paragraph 12 of A42-20 encourages the ICAO Council to continue cooperation with international organizations and other UN bodies on the understanding of aviation impacts on the environment and on the establishment of policies to address such impacts, as well as to contribute to the SDGs, including those related to plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and waste management.
Through the adoption of Resolution A42-21 on Climate Change, ICAO member States also reaffirmed the sector’s commitment to implement the long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the ICAO Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels, and other Aviation Cleaner Energies.
Resolution A42-22 on the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) reflects the strong support for CORSIA as the only global market-based measure applying to CO2 emissions from international aviation and reaffirmed the scheme’s environmental integrity.
2.From November 2024 to October 2025, what actions have your entities taken to improve coordination among UN system entities across policy and normative activities as well as with ECOSOC subsidiary bodies with a view to increasing impact and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda? Please provide any relevant links.
ICAO regularly provide the international aviation sector’s inputs for inter-agency initiatives, including the ongoing consultations related to the implementation plan for the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport 2026-2035.
ICAO also provides regular submissions and statements to the UNFCCC’s Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) on its progress in addressing international aviation emissions . As part of the Greening the Blue community, ICAO supports all UN agencies in calculating their air travel emissions through the ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator (ICEC), the official tool for UN entities to quantify their air travel CO₂ footprint and advance their environmental commitments.
ICAO has also regularly participated in inter-agency meetings including the UN Environment Management Group (EMG) meetings and briefings organized by UN DESA related to the annual High-Level Political Forum and ECOSOC High-Level Segment.
3. From November 2024 to October 2025, has your organization organized any intergovernmentally mandated conferences, forums or events that contributed to the achievement of the SDGs, or has been in the process of planning and organizing any such mandated events to be held next year?
Event Name | ICAO 42nd Assembly |
Event Dates | 23 September to 3 October, 2025 |
Event Location (City, Country) | ICAO HQ, Montreal, Canada |
Relevant SDGs | 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17. |
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) | The 42nd ICAO Assembly strengthened the framework for developing and deploying cleaner energy sources and new technologies, accelerating progress towards net zero carbon emissions from air transport. Key outcomes included:
Overall, these advancements contribute to SDGs 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17. |
Website (if applicable) |
Event Name | Side event, titled ‘Financing for Sustainable Aviation – challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of the New Zero 2050 goal for international aviation’ at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). |
Event Dates | 3 July 2025 |
Event Location (City, Country) | Seville, Spain |
Relevant SDGs | 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 17. |
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) | This side event offered insights on financing for development from the perspective of the international aviation sector. The panel featured speakers from ICAO, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).
Participants were informed about the progress of environmental protection efforts under ICAO’s leadership to achieve the sector’s long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The event also highlighted the importance of international aviation activities, including the sector’s decarbonization initiatives, to support economic growth, just transition and sustainable development, particularly in developing States, thereby contributing to SDGs 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 17.
Panelists further explored the scale of climate financing required to decarbonize international aviation, underscored the urgency of mobilizing such funding, and highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts, including the ICAO–IRENA partnership, to unlock finance for aviation clean energy transition. |
Website (if applicable) |
Event Name | ICAO Aviation Climate Week – Skyward Action: Realizing Aviation’s Sustainable Future |
Event Dates | 2 June until 4 June 2025 |
Event Location (City, Country) | ICAO HQ, Montreal, Canada |
Relevant SDGs | 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 17. |
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) | This event encompassed the 2025 ICAO LTAG Stocktaking, providing a response to the 41st ICAO Assembly request to monitor progress towards achieving the LTAG of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to strengthen multilateral collaboration and advance the implementation of ICAO’s environmental frameworks, including the Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other Aviation Cleaner Energies.
More than 500 participants engaged in sessions on emerging technologies, operational improvements, clean energy transition, implementation support, climate finance, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), non-CO2 aviation emissions, green airports, climate adaptation and recycling.
The event also provided an opportunity to join the ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) programme and to create synergies between ACT-SAF Partners.
The event highlighted initiatives that contribute to SDGs 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 17. |
Website (if applicable) |
Event Name | ICAO Briefing Session, titled ‘Implementing a clean energy transition for international aviation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals’, hosted at the UN SDG Pavilion during COP29. |
Event Dates | 11 November 2024 |
Event Location (City, Country) | Baku, Azerbaijan |
Relevant SDGs | 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 17. |
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) | This Briefing Session showcased recent progress made by ICAO and its 193 Member States towards achieving the Long-term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the implementation of the ICAO Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other Aviation Cleaner Energies.
This included ICAO’s ongoing projects and initiatives supporting States in all regions to advance the aviation clean energy transition, such as developments in the ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) programme, the State Action Plans initiative and the ICAO Finvest Hub to facilitate access to financing and investments for aviation decarbonization projects.
The Session highlighted ICAO efforts towards Net Zero 2050, while emphasizing the imperative that No Country is Left Behind in aviation’s clean energy transition will contribute to the achievement of SDGs #7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 17. |
Website (if applicable) |
4. From November 2024 to October 2025, has your organization published or planned to publish any analytical work, guidance or reference materials, or toolkits to guide and support the implementation of SDGs at national, regional and global levels? Please select up to three to highlight, especially those that address interlinkages among the SDGs.
Resource Name | 2025 Environmental Report |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17 |
Publishing entity/entities | ICAO |
Target audience | Stakeholders involved in international aviation and environmental policy (including ICAO Member States and their aviation authorities, aviation industry stakeholders, environmental organizations and researchers, investors and financial institutions, and the general public). |
Description (max 150 words) | The ICAO Environmental Report 2025 presents the progress made over the last three years across key areas of ICAO’s environmental protection activities, including the contributions to various SDGs.
Major progress achieved during the 2023–2025 triennium is highlighted throughout the Report, including the adoption of the ICAO Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other Aviation Cleaner Energies, with the Council approving the corresponding implementation Roadmap. The report also highlights the continued advancement of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
Implementation support and financing initiatives, such as the ACT-SAF programme, the operationalization of the ICAO Finvest Hub, and other advocacy, outreach events, and publications, have strengthened global efforts to decarbonize aviation. These initiatives assist States in deploying cleaner fuels and technologies, building capacity, and mobilizing climate finance.
Through these actions, ICAO contributes to SDG 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 17. |
Language(s) | English |
Website or link (if applicable) |
Resource Name | ACT-SAF Feasibility Studies |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17 |
Publishing entity/entities | ICAO |
Target audience | ICAO Member States, airlines and aviation operators, fuel producers and SAF project developers, investors and financing institutions, policy makers and regional organizations. |
Description (max 150 words) | The ICAO Vision aims to reduce CO₂ emissions from international aviation by 5% by 2030 through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), and other aviation cleaner energies. It emphasizes support for developing countries and States with specific needs, delivered through the ACT-SAF programme, a capacity-building initiative fostering partnerships, collaboration, and global knowledge exchange on SAF.
Through the ACT-SAF programme, feasibility studies have been conducted to assess the potential for producing and utilizing sustainable drop-in SAF in Member States, ensuring alignment with environmental and socio-economic sustainability criteria established under ICAO’s CORSIA framework. These assessments also evaluate Member States’ domestic feedstock availability, viable production pathways, infrastructure and policy readiness, and the enabling conditions required to establish a robust domestic SAF market. This way, they support the global transition to cleaner, more sustainable aviation, thereby contributing to SDG 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 17. |
Language(s) | English |
Website or link (if applicable) |
Resource Name | ICAO’s Eco-Airport Toolkit e-collection |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 17. |
Publishing entity/entities | ICAO |
Target audience | Airport operators and authorities, civil aviation authorities, airport tenants and stakeholders, consultants and planners, and academics and researchers. |
Description (max 150 words) | The Eco-Airport Toolkit e-collection provides practical and ready-to-use information to support the planning, design, and development of airport infrastructure projects. It helps States make informed decisions when financing new airport infrastructure project or environmental management enhancement programme.
Publications address States’ operational needs, including single-use plastics, water management, GHG and waste reduction, and air quality, with each focusing on a specific aspect of airport environmental planning.
The most recent publication, Cleaner Energies at Airports, highlights initiatives for integrating renewable energy and emphasizes necessary infrastructure changes to ensure efficient supply and access to drop-in fuels. It addresses three key areas:
By providing actionable guidance and promoting cleaner energy solutions, the Toolkit supports States in advancing sustainable aviation, contributing (in)directly to SDG 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 17. |
Language(s) | English |
Website or link (if applicable) |
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5. What collective efforts is your organization undertaking to support countries in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the areas of Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which will go under in-depth review at the HLPF in 2026? Please note any achievements, challenges and gaps and provide any relevant links.
The ICAO State Action Plans initiative consist of voluntary strategic documents developed by ICAO Member States to outline their national long-term strategies in reducing CO2 emissions from international aviation. They serve as a framework for setting emissions reduction targets, selecting mitigation measures, engaging relevant national stakeholders and unlocking support and financing.
The ICAO ACT-SAF programme provides tailored assistance to States in different stages of SAF development, fosters global cooperation, and promotes partnerships and information exchange among governments, industry, and stakeholders, contributing to SDGs 7, 9, 11, and 17. Under ACT-SAF, which comprises over 260 partners to date, feasibility and business implementation studies help identify countries’ potential to produce and utilize sustainable drop-in SAF, opportunities for investment and policy development. The ACT-SAF Knowledge Hub consolidates training materials and references on sustainability, policy, financing, certification, and logistics, with online training available via icao.tv.
The ICAO Cleaner Energy Tracker Tools and the CORSIA Certified Fuels Tracker enhance transparency by providing accessible, up-to-date information on SAF policies, certified fuels, and production pathways, helping States and industry monitor progress toward cleaner aviation energy systems.
The ICAO ACT-CORSIA programme further supports States in implementing CORSIA through targeted capacity-building and Buddy Partnerships, where experts provide hands-on technical training and guidance.
Initiative/Partnership Name | Finvest Hub |
Partners (please list all partners) | The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) GenZero PtX |
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17 |
Member States benefiting from it | All Member States, particularly
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Description (max 150 words) | Finvest aims to accelerate the financing of cleaner energy solutions for aviation, with a particular focus on developing SAF. By connecting project developers, investors, development finance institutions, and governments, Finvest bridges the gap between aviation decarbonisation projects and the capital they need to grow. The initiative enables curated project pipelines, technical assistance, and matchmaking platforms with a focus on emerging and developing economies where opportunities are abundant, but project development remains at an early stage.
One financing platform already developed and operational is the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) Platform (part of IRENA). This is a multi-stakeholder climate finance facility designed to mobilise more than USD 4 billion annually by 2030 for renewable energy projects in developing countries.
Through the Finvest@ETAF portal, IRENA and ICAO are facilitating the opportunity for sustainable aviation fuel projects to be included in ETAF’s global pipeline of renewable energy opportunities. This collaboration allows aviation-related clean energy projects to be co-presented within both ecosystems. ICAO continues to expand Finvest through additional platforms and partnerships to further accelerate investment in aviation’s energy transition. |
Website |
6. Please provide strategies (policies, guidance, plan) and/or collective actions taken to implement the 2025 Ministerial Declaration of the Economic and Social Council and the high-level political forum on sustainable development convened under the auspices of the Council. Please note any challenges foreseen and provide any relevant links.
Please refer to the response to question 1. For more information, please refer to:
- Resolution A42-20: Consolidated statement of continuing ICAO policies and practices related to environmental protection - General provisions, noise and local air quality
- Resolution A42-21: Consolidated statement of continuing ICAO policies and practices related to environmental protection - Climate change
- Resolution A42-22: Consolidated statement of continuing ICAO policies and practices related to environmental protection - Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)