Latin American and Caribbean airports welcome global zero-emission aviation goal

States adopted last Friday during the 41st Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) the goal of zero net carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050. Airports Council International (ACI) is pleased with the outcome of the negotiations held during the assembly, thus aligning the climate target for international aviation with the objectives agreed in the Paris Agreement as well as with the net zero emissions target announced by the different aviation industry stakeholders in 2021.

Dr. Rafael Echevarne, Director General of ACI-LAC commented: “We are very pleased that the States of the region have agreed to commit to the zero net carbon emissions targets under the Paris Agreement”.

This agreement is the starting point to accelerate collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders towards a common goal. Air transport must continue to decarbonize its business to continue to connect people and economies, providing significant socio-economic benefits for generations to come.

The region’s airports have also achieved tangible CO2 reductions year after year through their participation in the Carbon Footprint Accreditation (ACA) program. This is the only globally recognized program for measuring and managing emissions generated by airports. Currently 54 ACI-LAC member airports are part of the ACA program and we are confident that this agreement will add many more airports to achieve these goals.

ACI-LAC and its member airports remain committed to meeting the goal of zero net emissions and we expect the entire air transport community to actively collaborate to achieve it. The road ahead will not be easy, but if we act collaboratively we can make it happen.