Cargo Sustainability

The development of long-term strategies and investments to achieve a sustainable industry is a key to guarantee the future of air cargo.

IATA understands that the industry needs to work not only to address environmental issues. It also needs to focus into promoting the vital role air cargo plays in our day-to-day life, and to attract new blood to the business.

​Finding a future for air freight

Together with its supply chain partners, IATA has defined sustainability as one of the four main priorities for the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG). A Sustainability Task Force has therefore been set-up to address environmental, social and economic issues.

Multidimensional approach

IATA is working on several cargo sustainability initiatives tackling environmental, social and economic matters. It includes the Future Air Cargo Executive (FACE) program and its three-pillar strategy to attract, develop and retain talents in the air cargo industry; the air cargo carbon footprint (ACCF) work on the environment side; as well as the Value of Air Cargo marketing campaign.

Green Cargo program

Air transport as a whole represents just 2% of global carbon emissions. The industry is committed to achieving carbon-neutral growth by 2020 and reducing 50% in net emissions by 2050.​

Air cargo already compares favorably with other transport modes like maritime shipping, which accounts for about 4% of global carbon emissions. However, the air freight sector has an enormous role to play if aviation is to meet its environmental targets.

The IATA Cargo Services Conference adopted the new Recommended Practice 1678 for CO2 Emissions Measurement Methodology (pdf) on 9 March 2014.

Developed by the IATA Air Cargo Carbon Footprint (ACCF) working group, the document establishes a methodology to measure the CO2 emissions generated by air cargo at shipment level.

FACE program

Together with the air cargo industry, IATA recognizes that there is an urgent need to invest in people, promote gender diversity, and attract and develop young talent. The Future Air Cargo Executive (FACE) program aims to solve this pressing issue.

IATA organized the first FACE Summit (FACES) in 2013 during the World Cargo Symposium, to highlight the important role young leadership plays in the future growth of the air cargo industry. 

Since then, other four editions of the summit allowed the newest generation of industry executives to express their viewpoints and make a sound contribution to the global air cargo agenda.​

Next FACES