October 27, 2025
IATA launches its new integrated sustainability program
At the International Air Transport Association (IATA) World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) in Hong Kong, IATA launched the Integrated Sustainability Program (ISP).
ISP is a certification program offering airlines a comprehensive sustainability management and assessment framework. It is designed specifically for airlines and built upon the successful IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA).
Along with certification, the program includes training, consulting, assessments, guidance, and tools in four critical modules: (1) environmental management, (2) sustainable procurement, (3) social responsibility and (4) sustainability performance. ISP certifications and modules can be pursued individually or as a fully integrated sustainability program. Certifications are subject to a recurring 2-year cycle of independent assessments.
The four ISP modules include:
• Environmental Management: IEnvA is now a fully integrated program within the ISP. By incorporating ISO14001:2015 principles, IEnvA enables organizations to assess their environmental footprint systematically, manage compliance obligations, and develop targeted management plans for emissions, waste, water, noise, biodiversity, and pollution. Airlines already certified under IEnvA will be incorporated under the ISP framework, with the option to take up additional modules/certifications.
• Sustainable Procurement: For the first time, the ISP brings ISO20400:2017-aligned sustainable procurement standards to aviation. This empowers organizations to evaluate and improve the sustainability of their supply chains and the goods and services they buy across environmental, social, and governance dimensions.
• Social Responsibility: The ISP integrates ISO26000:2010, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and OECD guidelines into a certifiable framework to help organizations map social risks and opportunities. These encompass establishing customer protection and service, human rights due diligence processes, driving continuous improvement in community engagement and investment, for example.
• Sustainability Performance: This program allows airlines to measure and monitor their environmental, social, and governance performance. Following the new ISP framework will support transparent reporting and informed decision-making in line with evolving organizational, regulatory, customer and investor ESG ambitions and requirements.
At the WSS in Hong Kong, it was also announced that Air New Zealand and EVA Air are the first two carriers to receive the Sustainable Procurement certification under the ISP.
Source: IATA