The International Air Transport Association will hold its fourth World Sustainability Symposium Oct. 13-14 in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together leaders from aviation, energy, finance, technology, academia and government to discuss policies and actions needed to advance aviation's transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The symposium will focus on accelerating aviation decarbonization while maintaining the economic and social benefits of air connectivity. Organizers said the Brussels location will provide an opportunity for industry leaders to engage with policymakers responsible for developing sustainability frameworks that will influence aviation's energy transition.
The agenda will address three key areas: scaling solutions for aviation's energy transition, developing and harmonizing policies that support global and competitive markets, and advancing innovation and understanding of emerging technologies and sustainability throughout the aircraft lifecycle.
Discussions on scaling solutions will include established technologies and fuels such as hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids sustainable aviation fuel, low-carbon aviation fuels and co-processing. The policy discussions will examine markets for SAF, carbon credits and other decarbonization solutions.
The symposium also will address emerging technologies, non-CO2 effects and sustainability considerations across the aircraft lifecycle.
Confirmed speakers include Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group; Eddy Liégeois, head of the aviation policy unit at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, member of the European Parliament; and Leif Holmberg, board co-chair of the Green Climate Fund and deputy director for sustainability and climate at Sweden's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Other confirmed speakers include Paolo Frankl, head of the Renewable Energy Division at the International Energy Agency; Margarita Cabrera Botero, head of climate business at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency of the World Bank Group; Jonathon Counsell, group head of sustainability at IAG; Patricia Grossi, head of carbon markets and biofuel certification at Acelen Renewables; Bertrand de Lacombe, vice president of sustainability regulatory and external engagement at Airbus; and Denise Pronk, head of sustainability at Schiphol Airport.
Additional speakers from airlines, energy companies, financial institutions, governments and technology companies are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
For the first time, the World Sustainability Symposium and Wings of Change Europe will be held consecutively at the same venue. WSS participants will receive complimentary access to Wings of Change Europe on Oct. 15.
The two events will provide a broader forum for examining aviation decarbonization alongside issues affecting Europe's aviation sector, including sustainability, competitiveness, connectivity and economic growth.
Source: International Air Transport Association, "Fourth IATA World Sustainability Symposium to Take Place in Brussels as Air Transport Faces Critical Decarbonization Policy Decisions"