ATAG plays an active and vital role in facilitating the development of joint positions and advocating for their support among governments and international bodies. Haldane Dodd Executive Director, ATAG
ATAG was instrumental in the industry’s announcement of its commitment to fly net zero by 2050 in October 2021. The declaration was signed by the CEOs and leaders of ACI, Airbus, ATR, Boeing, CFM, CANSO, Collins Aerospace, Embraer, GAMA, GE Aviation, IATA, IBAC, ICCAIA, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce and SAFRAN. All these organisations are members of ATAG.
ATAG promotes awareness of aviation's sustainable development via a range of educational materials including videos, studies, fact sheets and publications for global use. ATAG also develops toolkits of resources for members to incorporate in their own communications activities.
In preparation for the ICAO Assembly in September / October 2022, ATAG developed a series of videos for sharing on social media using the hashtag #FlyNetZero. These videos feature 65 young aviation professionals from 20 different countries, who explain in their own words why a long-term climate goal for aviation is important. The two main videos are:
Over 13,000 Twitter posts were generated using #FlyNetZero from October 2021 to October 2022 and the videos were played constantly within ICAO’s headquarters from July to October 2022.
ATAG led development of the Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders website: a collaboration on behalf of all sectors of air transport. The site provides factual information about aviation's contributions to economic growth and social development and highlights efforts that are being made to reduce its environmental footprint. It also explains the ways that aviation supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The publication Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders is also an ATAG initiative. It analyses data in 85 countries, as well as 14 major regions and groups, to provide statistics on aviation’s role in supporting jobs, trade, connectivity, tourism, vital lifelines for remote communities and rapid disaster response. It has become a key reference tool among governments, industry, academics, the media and the broader public. The publication, global summary, regional reports and factsheet are available for download free-of-charge and are accompanied by an informative video.
ATAG developed a set of social media resources to accompany the release of Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders in December 2024. These focused on facts about aviation’s contribution to the global economy and the progress in aviation over the last 80 years. From 5-7 December 2024, the social media activity resulted in more than 450,000 views on X and LinkedIn.
ATAG also successfully brought together all sectors of aviation, governments, environmental groups and other stakeholders via the Global Sustainable Aviation Summits, Forums and briefings. The first event was held in 2005. A number of important declarations were made over the years at these events, including:
ATAG organises briefings for specific sectors on issues of importance: in 2023 and 2024, seven briefings were held for the finance community, to stimulate investment in sustainable aviation fuel and explain its role in aviation’s energy transition.
ATAG has been granted permanent observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization and supports ICAO’s work programme by coordinating industry representation at meetings, developing papers and offering guidance and assistance. See ICAO Assemblies and ICAO CAAF/3.
ATAG has been coordinating aviation activities and industry delegations at the UNFCCC’s Conference of the Parties since 2009. This included organising the Global Sustainable Aviation Forum / COP28 in Dubai, December 2023, which was an official partnership event.