Over 300 delegates are meeting in Geneva this week for the ninth Global Sustainable Aviation Summit, organised by the Air Transport Action Group.

The Summit brings together industry sustainability experts with governments and civil society to look at the role air transport can play in supporting economic growth and reducing environmental impacts.

ATAG's executive director, Michael Gill, says: “With delegates attending from 45 countries, this is a true microcosm of the worldwide nature of the aviation industry and goes to show that sustainability is top-of-mind in all parts of the world.

"This year’s Summit will re-visit some vital areas of action around climate change, whilst also exploring new areas of focus including: the sustainable development goals; reporting and regulation; community relations; the recycling of aircraft; and helping to stamp out the both human and wildlife trafficking.”

In 2009, the Summit was the venue for the aviation industry to declare the world’s first goals for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from any transport sector.

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In subsequent years, the sector has worked at the International Civil Aviation Organization to deliver both a CO2 Standard for new aircraft and a global government agreement for an offsetting scheme for international aviation.

The industry has also continued to improve fuel efficiency across its fleet.

“The Global Sustainable Aviation Summit provides a real catalyst for collaborative action across the sector, on a wide variety of issues," says Gill.

"Sustainable development is everyone’s business. But for an industry as reliant on coordinated teamwork as aviation, having a venue for experts from across the sector to meet and share ideas and experiences is invaluable. The Summit and peer-to-peer workshops facilitate this process.”