The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched its Integrated Sustainability Program (ISP) — a new certification framework designed to help airlines manage, measure, and improve their sustainability performance across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions. The announcement was made at the IATA World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) in Hong Kong.
Building on the success of the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA), the ISP offers airlines a comprehensive management system and certification process, combining training, consulting, assessments, and practical tools. The programme is structured around four key modules — environmental management, sustainable procurement, social responsibility, and sustainability performance — which can be pursued individually or as part of an integrated framework. Certifications are valid for two years and subject to independent assessment.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist, said the ISP “validates that an airline is managing its sustainability efforts at the highest level and in the broadest context,” adding that the framework “provides a transparent view of progress for stakeholders, regulators, and customers while aligning airline efforts with global best practices.”
The four pillars of ISP are:
- Environmental management: IEnvA is now fully incorporated within the ISP, integrating ISO14001:2015 principles to help airlines monitor emissions, waste, noise, biodiversity, and pollution.
- Sustainable procurement: For the first time in aviation, ISO20400:2017-aligned sustainable procurement standards are introduced, helping airlines strengthen supply chain sustainability.
- Social responsibility: The ISP incorporates ISO26000:2010, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and OECD guidelines to assess social risks, improve community engagement, and protect human rights.
- Sustainability performance: This module enables airlines to measure and report ESG performance transparently, supporting informed decision-making aligned with investor and regulatory expectations.
At the symposium, Air New Zealand and EVA Air were named the first airlines to receive the ISP Sustainable Procurement certification.
Kiri Hannifin, Air New Zealand’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, said the certification underscores the airline’s commitment to “creating better outcomes for people and the planet” and to “lifting sustainability standards across aviation.”
EVA Air’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Jason Liu, added that the milestone “reflects our commitment to integrating sustainability into procurement and building a more resilient supply chain.”
IATA plans to expand the ISP beyond airlines to include ground handlers, airports, cargo operators, MROs, and caterers in future phases. The association said it would continue refining the framework in collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure it remains practical, impactful, and aligned with evolving global standards.
