ICAO Joins International Solar Alliance

• 29 Sep 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) during the 42^nd session of ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada.

• Cochin International Airport in India became the world’s first fully Solar powered airport in the world in 2015.

What is the MoU About?

• The MoU carries forward the legacy of ISA.
• The event marks a new beginning for solar energy use in the global civil aviation sector.
• It will enable the solarization of the aviation sector across all Member States of ISA
• It aims to check the growth of CO₂ emissions in the Aviation sector, leading to India’s Net Zero Targets.
• It will work towards providing information, providing advocacy, capacity building and demonstration projects.

What is the India’s Net Zero Target?

• India has pledged for Net Zero Carbon goal by 2070 in COP 26.
• India has pledged a target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy of which 100 GW will be solar energy by 2022 and reduction in emission intensity by 33-35% by 2030, to let solar energy reach the most unconnected villages and communities.

What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

• About:
  • Co-founded by India and France during 2015, the ISA is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies.
    • Its basic motive is to facilitate energy access, ensure energy security, and drive energy transition in its member countries.
  • ISA is the nodal agency for implementing One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG), which seeks to transfer solar power generated in one region to feed the electricity demands of others.
• Headquarters:
  • The Headquarters is in India with its Interim Secretariat being set up in Gurugram.
• Member Nations:
  • A total of 109 countries have signed the ISA Framework Agreement and 90 have ratified it.
  • All member states of the United Nations are eligible to join the ISA.
• Observer Status to International Solar Alliance:
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has granted Observer Status to the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
  • It will help provide for regular and well-defined cooperation between the Alliance and the United Nations that would benefit global energy growth and development.

What is the International Civil Aviation Organisation?

• ICAO is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency, established in 1944, which laid the foundation for the standards and procedures for peaceful global air navigation.
  • The Convention on International Civil Aviation was signed on 7th December 1944 in Chicago commonly known as the ‘Chicago Convention’.
  • It established the core principles permitting international transport by air, and also led to the creation of the ICAO.
• India is among its 193 members.
• It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Source: HT