New aircraft will face stricter environmental standards

New aircraft will face stricter environmental standards
ICAO Council's decisions reflect commitment to decreasing noise and climate impact from international aviation

Montréal, 27 March 2026 - New aircraft around the world, including next-generation supersonic jets, will soon be required to meet much more demanding environmental rules following the adoption of new technical standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council.

Regarding subsonic aircraft, these more stringent ICAO standards have been developed to ensure the latest technologies are used in aircraft design to reduce aviation CO2 emissions and aircraft noise globally, directly supporting international climate and sustainability goals while fostering innovation in cleaner, quieter aircraft.

The ICAO CO2 emissions standard was made 10% more stringent today and is applicable to new aircraft type designs as of 2031. In addition to this, a complex more stringent CO2 emissions standard was also adopted that will apply to new deliveries of in-production aircraft types from 2035.

The new rules further introduce more stringent noise limits for quieter aircraft, raising the bar by six decibels for large aircraft types, and two decibels for smaller ones. This new more stringent noise standard is applicable to new aircraft type designs as of 2029.

The new subsonic standards are expected to encourage further worldwide investment in fuel efficiency and noise reduction technologies across the aviation sector, generating benefits for passengers, communities, and the climate alike.

ICAO is now beginning preparations for a potential return of supersonic aircraft by addressing their noise impact first. As of 2029, these aircraft will need to comply with the noise limits that apply to today's subsonic aircraft.
The ICAO Council's actions address the complex realities of bringing new technologies to market. The newly adopted measures update the CO2 and noise standards, which are underpinned by certification procedures used to assess compliance. The new standards also ensure that procedures for measuring emissions and noise continue to be clear, consistent, and up to date with current technology and market developments.

These international standards were developed and refined through a multi-year ICAO process, involving significant technical analysis within the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection, broad consultation with Member States and stakeholders, and review of the latest innovations in aircraft and engine technology.

The collaborative approach ensures that the revised rules are both technically robust and reflective of the realities faced by regulators and manufacturers in every region.

With formal adoption of the new standards now complete, the ICAO Council has established 3 August 2026 as the effective date, and set 1 January 2027 as the point from which the new requirements will apply globally.

ICAO will accompany the transition to the new standards with detailed implementation guidance and comprehensive documentation on both the environmental benefits and regulatory impacts of the changes.
These coordinated steps are designed to ensure that the entire global aviation community is fully prepared for the shift to more stringent environmental standards, reinforcing ICAO's leadership in alignment with its vision of air transport for all by 2050, and net-zero carbon emissions.

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About ICAO
Leading international civil aviation as a crucial driver of social and economic development, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is accelerating progress towards zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions in air transport for everyone, everywhere, in line with its Long-Term Strategic Plan for 2050. ICAO works with its 193 Member States and all air transport stakeholders to develop standards and policies for international civil aviation, and undertakes planning and capacity building activities to support their implementation by Member States.

Technical Annex
Complex more stringent CO2 emissions standard applying to new deliveries of in-production aircraft types from 2035: For in-production types, for aeroplanes with maximum take-off mass (MTOM) less than 46 tonnes the stringency line matches Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection, tenth meeting (CAEP/10) carbon dioxide (CO₂) in-production limit; for the maximum take-off mass (MTOM) above 70 tonnes and below 115 tonnes the stringency line matches the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection, tenth meeting (CAEP/10) new type limit line; for the maximum take-off mass (MTOM) above 150 tonnes the stringency line is 2 per cent below the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection, tenth meeting (CAEP/10) new type limit line. Between the intervals indicated above continuous transitional segments were agreed.

Media Contact
William Raillant-Clark
ICAO Communications Officer
media.relations[at] icao.int(media[dot]relations[at]icao[dot]int)