IATA Unveils Integrated Sustainability Program to Advance Airline ESG Standards

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the launch of the Integrated Sustainability Program (ISP), a groundbreaking certification initiative that aims to help airlines systematically manage, measure, and enhance their sustainability performance across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions. The announcement was made at the IATA World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) held in Hong Kong.

The ISP represents a significant evolution of IATA's long-standing Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) program, expanding its scope to include social responsibility, sustainable procurement, and overall sustainability performance. This integrated framework provides airlines with a comprehensive, modular system to strengthen their sustainability strategies in line with global best practices and international standards.

"The comprehensive ISP certification program validates that an airline is managing its sustainability efforts at the highest level and in the broadest context," said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA's Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist. "It integrates environmental, social, and governance measures, offering a transparent view of progress for stakeholders, regulators, and customers."

A Holistic Approach to Airline Sustainability

The ISP certification goes beyond environmental concerns, encompassing four critical modules that address the full spectrum of sustainability challenges in aviation:

1. Environmental Management – Built upon IEnvA, this module aligns with ISO 14001:2015 and helps airlines systematically assess their environmental footprint. It supports compliance with regulations and facilitates management plans for emissions, waste, water usage, noise, biodiversity, and pollution. Airlines already certified under IEnvA will transition seamlessly into the ISP, gaining access to expanded tools and modules.

2. Sustainable Procurement – Introduced for the first time in aviation, this module aligns with ISO 20400:2017 standards, enabling airlines to evaluate the sustainability of their supply chains. It addresses ethical sourcing, supplier diversity, environmental impact, and fair labor practices to foster a more responsible global aviation network.

3. Social Responsibility – This module integrates the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and ISO 26000:2010 into a certifiable framework. It guides airlines in assessing social risks, ensuring human rights due diligence, and improving customer protection, community engagement, and employee well-being.

4. Sustainability Performance – Focused on measurable results, this module provides tools for monitoring ESG performance indicators and supports transparent reporting. By integrating data from across operations, it helps align airline sustainability strategies with regulatory requirements, investor expectations, and global disclosure standards.

Each module can be pursued individually or as part of the complete ISP certification, allowing airlines to tailor their sustainability journey to their operational maturity and strategic priorities. All certifications are subject to a recurring two-year cycle of independent assessments, ensuring that commitments are maintained and continuously improved.

Early Adopters: Air New Zealand and EVA Air Lead the Way

At the Hong Kong symposium, IATA announced the first two airlines to achieve ISP certification in Sustainable Procurement: Air New Zealand and EVA Air.

Air New Zealand, the national carrier, emphasized that sustainable procurement is central to its corporate ethos and to strengthening relationships with suppliers.

"For Air New Zealand, sustainable procurement means building on the collective strength and innovation of our supplier network," said Kiri Hannifin, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer. "By backing IATA's new ISP, we aim to lift standards across aviation and show that doing what's right is also good business."

EVA Air also celebrated the certification as a milestone in its sustainability strategy.

"Earning this certification marks a key milestone in EVA Air's sustainability journey," said Jason Liu, the airline's Chief Sustainability Officer. "It reflects our commitment to integrating sustainability into procurement and collaborating with partners to build a more resilient supply chain."

Setting a New Standard for Global Aviation

The ISP represents a major step forward in aligning the global airline industry with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. By providing a transparent and verifiable certification process, the program enhances accountability, strengthens stakeholder confidence, and promotes consistent sustainability standards across airlines worldwide.

The program's modular design ensures flexibility, allowing carriers of all sizes—from global flag carriers to regional operators—to participate. The ISP also serves as a strategic management tool, helping airlines navigate the growing demand for ESG compliance and reporting from investors, customers, and regulators.

Future Development: Expanding Beyond Airlines

While the ISP currently focuses on airlines, IATA has confirmed plans to extend the program to other aviation stakeholders, including airports, ground handlers, cargo operators, maintenance and repair organizations (MROs), and caterers. This expansion will ensure that entire aviation ecosystems adopt unified sustainability standards.

"ISP will evolve over time as we work with a broad spectrum of industry participants and stakeholders," said Owens Thomsen. "Our aim is to ensure that industry standards and certifications remain practical, relevant, and impactful."

Driving a Sustainable Future for Air Transport

The launch of the ISP comes at a crucial moment for the global aviation industry, which is under increasing pressure to decarbonize operations and demonstrate progress toward net-zero emissions by 2050. Beyond carbon reduction, airlines are expected to address a wide range of sustainability priorities—from ethical sourcing and labor practices to data transparency and circular economy initiatives.

Through the Integrated Sustainability Program, IATA is positioning itself as a global leader in standardizing sustainability across aviation, empowering airlines to translate policy commitments into measurable outcomes.

"This program reflects the maturity of aviation's sustainability journey," Owens Thomsen concluded. "With the ISP, we are not just setting standards — we are helping airlines turn ambition into verified action."