​During the 37th Session of the ICAO Assembly in 2010, ICAO Member States recognized the importance to address CO₂ emissions from international aviation and adopted Resolution A37-19. This resolution aimed to achieve a global annual average fuel efficiency improvement of two per cent until 2020 and an aspirational global fuel efficiency improvement rate of two per cent per annum from 2021 to 2050, calculated on the basis of volume of fuel used per RTK performed.
 

In addition, Resolution A37-19 invited States to voluntarily develop and submit an action plan that outlines the national policies and measures to reduce CO₂ emissions from international aviation. The State Action Plan also provides a means  to report on these activities to ICAO and the international community.
 

On 17 December 2013, ICAO and the European Union signed an agreement to implement an assistance project: Capacity Building on CO₂ mitigation from International Aviation. Fourteen States from Africa and the Caribbean regions were selected to participate in this programme. Funding was provided by the European Union, while ICAO Environment carried out the implementation. The European Commission represents the European Union for the purpose of this agreement.

 

This initiative marked the beginning of an era of closer cooperation among ICAO Member States that had a willingness to address environmental issues but required assistance to strengthen national capacities on environment, mobilize their national stakeholders and take concrete actions.