FLYING IN FORMATION – Aviation: Benefits

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FLYING IN
FORMATION

AIR TRANSPORT AND THE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

FIRST EDITION
OCTOBER 2017

FLYING IN FORMATION | 1

The air transport industry is the global network of commercial aircraft operators, airports, air

navigation service providers and the manufacturers of aircraft and their components.

It is responsible for connecting the global economy, providing millions of jobs and making the

modern globally-connected quality of life possible. The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), based in

Geneva, Switzerland, represents the full spectrum of this global business. ATAG brings the industry

together to form a strategic perspective on commercial aviation’s sustainable development and

the role that air transport can play in supporting the sustainability of other sectors of the economy.

Representatives on ATAG’s Board of Directors include: Airports Council International (ACI), Airbus,

ATR, Boeing, Bombardier, Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), CFM International,

Embraer, GE Aviation, Honeywell Aerospace, International Air Transport Association (IATA),

International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce and Safran.

www.atag.org

This publication is for information purposes only. Whilst every effort has been made to
ensure the quality and accuracy of information in this publication, it is made available
without any warranty of any kind. All currency is in United States Dollars, unless otherwise
stated. Forecasts and forward-looking statements in this publication are attributed to those
organisations referenced, or the Air Transport Action Group.

AVIATION BENEFITS BEYOND BORDERS | 2

Global aviation is a driver of sustainable
development, bringing together people,
businesses and communities and
supporting trade and tourism.

Safe, reliable, efficient and cost-effective
air transport is an essential component
of a broader mobility strategy to help
achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development.

Supporting the spirit of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) should be seen
as an imperative by governments and
aviation businesses the world over.

The global aviation sector has a role to play in 15 of the 17 SDGs,
some in small ways and others with much more significant influence.
This report provides suggestions for how individual aviation
industry organisations can contribute — they will need to identify the
specific SDGs that are most appropriate to their own circumstances.

FLYING IN FORMATION | 1

Setting goals for a changing world
The vital role of mobility and air transport in supporting global development trends

Human history has been marked by societal
and demographic shifts often taking place over
century-long timeframes. However, the changes
taking place now will occur in mere decades, as
the pace of technological development speeds
up and whole economies and regions respond to
new opportunities and challenges. Connectivity
and mobility are both drivers and responders to
these trends. It is important, therefore, to look at
how the world will change in the coming years.

It is estimated that the world’s population,
now around 7.6 billion, will grow to 9.8
billion by 2050 1. The urban / rural split is
more evident than ever before. Over half the
world’s population now lives in cities, with that
proportion due to grow to 66% by 2050 2. This
brings with it challenges and opportunities
— more concentrated populations allow for
improved efficiency of mobility and energy
supply. However, it also means these cities will
need to be careful about the quality of life they
can provide their citizens. It could also create
inequality of public transport access for rural
populations.

The world’s economic centre of gravity continues
to shift eastward and south as the powerhouses
of Asia build global strength and emerging
economies in Latin America and Africa gain
from trade and development. Interestingly,
the centre of gravity of global air traffic closely
mirrors the broader economic trends.

Rising middle classes in Asian nations, in
particular, will seek to travel more and benefit
from the connectivity that air travel brings.
Already, Asia-Pacific has overtaken North
America and Europe to become the largest
aviation market in the world. Consumers there
will continue to seek new opportunities and
take advantage of their increasing ability to
travel. Africa and Latin America, too, are rapidly
developing and many people across Africa will
be able to make leaps forward in technology
to provide improved mobility, if governments
prepare the groundwork in an expedited fashion.

Within nations as well, attitudes are shifting.
The famous millennial generation expects to
travel more often and more easily, whilst also
prioritising environmental and social awareness
— a characteristic defining both the passengers
and employees of air transport operators and
businesses everywhere.

An industry as proudly technologically-advanced
as aviation will also be subject to changing
dynamics. Increasing artificial intelligence
and disruptive technology such as remotely
automated systems — drones — becoming part of
the landscape (or, more accurately, airspace), our
industry will also need to adapt quickly.

Despite the changing fortunes of many
around the world, there remain challenges
to development: pulling millions more out of
poverty; providing clean habitats; fostering

innovation; building stable societies; taking
care of an aging population with increased life
expectancy; dealing with climate change; and
with the advent of more automation, finding
different ways for entire segments of society to
spend their days.

The Sustainable Development Goals

To help navigate these changing times and
ensure that parts of society are not left behind
by the pace of development, in 2015, the world’s
governments, through the United Nations,
agreed on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. This Agenda is framed by 17
overarching Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), which aim to set priorities and stimulate
action over the next fifteen years in areas of
critical importance for humanity and the world:
people, planet, prosperity and peace.

These are not simply goals for the United
Nations system to follow, but a framework for
aligned action across all parts of society and the
global community. Business, in particular, has
a big influence on how many of the goals can
be realised, but will also benefit once they are
achieved. Business thrives in stable societies with
healthy and prosperous citizens, open borders
and strong institutions. At the same time, there
is an obligation on all companies and industrial
sectors to consider not just profit maximisation in
business strategy — indeed, the SDGs provide an
ideal template, not only for stable and sustainable
growth but for sound corporate strategy as well.

The goals define 169 targets that governments
are encouraged to pursue and a set of ‘indicators’
which allow for the tracking of progress towards
those targets and the overall goals.

Transport’s role in sustainable
development

Without fast and efficient mobility, the world
we know today would not exist. Transport-
enabled trade and modern connectivity have
a fundamental role to play in modern lives,
in business and beyond. Transport is a key
component of meeting the SDGs. Whilst there
is no stand-alone SDG on mobility, former UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon acknowledged
the catalytic power of the sector and formed
a High Level Advisory Group on Sustainable

AVIATION BENEFITS BEYOND BORDERS | 2

The global aviation industry is aligned with
the aims of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. Analysis shows that the global
air transport industry plays at least some role
in supporting 15 out of the 17 SDGs. Through
generating connectivity between nations,
aviation is a key driver of economic and social
development. Aviation also has one of the most
clear and wide ranging climate action plans of
any global industry, which contributes to the
environmentally-focused SDGs.

Whilst aviation already plays a major role in
supporting and complementing the SDGs, simply
as a matter of its day to day operations, there
are areas in which the industry could increase
its contribution to sustainable development. By
working in partnership with governments and
inter-governmental institutions, air transport
could significantly further its already important
role in driving sustainable development.

Over half of all international tourists travel to
their destination by air and tourism plays an
even more important role in some states than
in others, with 45 out of 47 least developed
countries identifying tourism as a key
development sector 3.

Supporting states in special situations

Of particular interest to the global community
is assisting the development of countries in
so-called ‘special situations’. These states have
been identified as needing assistance due to
geographic or climatic conditions and were
identified in several special processes, including
the Istanbul Programme of Action for the

Transport to look at how transport could help
deliver the SDGs. The group developed a set of
ten recommendations to promote wider access
to safe and efficient mobility:
» Make transport planning, policy and

investment decisions based on the three
sustainable development dimensions
— social development, environmental
(including climate) impacts and economic
growth — and a full life cycle analysis.
» Integrate all sustainable transport planning
efforts with an appropriately-balanced
development of transport modes: integration
vertically among levels of government and
horizontally across modes, territories and
sectors.

» Create supportive institutional, legal and
regulatory government frameworks to
promote effective sustainable transport.

» Build technical capacity of transport

planners and implementers, especially in
developing countries, through partnerships
with international organisations, multilateral
development banks, and governments at all
levels, to ensure equitable access to markets,
jobs, education and other necessities.
» Reinforce efforts toward preventing road

traffic deaths and injuries.

» Foster an informed, engaged public as a
crucial partner in advancing sustainable
transport solutions.

» Establish monitoring and evaluation

frameworks for sustainable transport, and
build capacity for gathering and analysing
sound and reliable data and statistics.
» Promote diversified funding sources and
coherent fiscal frameworks to advance
sustainable transport systems, initiatives
and projects.

» Increase international development
funding and climate funding for
sustainable transport.

» Promote sustainable transport

technologies through outcome-oriented
government investment and policies that
encourage private sector investment
and action through various incentive
structures.

These recommendations fed into the 2016
Global Sustainable Transport Conference in
Ashgabat and then into a cross-UN effort that
is now being formed, Sustainable Mobility for
All (SuM4All). This initiative brings together UN
agencies, multilateral development banks, NGOs,
academics and industry to chart a way forward
for mobility that follows a vision of:
» Universal access — to ensure social equity

in access to opportunities;

» Efficiency — to increase the efficiency of

transport systems and services;

» Safety — to improve the safety of mobility

(SDG target 3.6 on road safety);

» Green — shifting transport services and
infrastructure to a green, clean and
resilient path.

Aviation’s unique perspective

Much of the discussion on mobility is focused
on ground transport for understandable
organisational reasons. Urban mobility —
road infrastructure, rail systems, cycling
infrastructure and bus networks — are all very
heavily reliant on government intervention and
coordinated policy, whereas aviation in many
cases is self-sufficient. In many developing
nations, however, there may need to be some
policy intervention to ensure infrastructure
development for wider access to air services.

FLYING IN FORMATION | 3

Driving sustainability through
economic growth

A number of the SDGs, including SDG 1 (no
poverty), SDG 8 (decent work and economic
growth) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) have
a focus on economic development and are in
many ways interconnected. These are areas
in which aviation already makes a significant
contribution, but increased cooperation with
governments can unlock further economic
potential and support sustainable development.
In some regions of the world, unnecessary
and burdensome regulations remain in place,
hurting competitiveness and suppressing the
consequential social benefits of better air links.

In Africa, governments could support the
sustainable development of the sector by
agreeing to a policy of open skies, which would
not only aid economic development, but would
greatly increase airspace efficiency and safety.
Rather than continuing an arrangement of
individual bilateral agreements between each
state, African governments should agree on
a more liberal approach to the continental
airspace through adoption of the Yamoussoukro
Decision, a policy that has long been on the
negotiating table and that has the full support of
the industry.

In Latin America, the main barrier to economic
sustainability is the lack of appropriate
infrastructure, which in turn suppresses
capacity and connectivity. As much of the
infrastructure in this region is state-owned,
there is significant scope for industry to
collaborate with governments in the region
to develop the infrastructure needed to meet
future demand in a sustainable manner.

Around the world, the wider tourism sector can
also create opportunities for people in remote

areas and for indigenous communities and
play a role in actually protecting the natural
habitats and animals that bring visitors. Such
development must be carefully managed to
safeguard cultural and natural attractions
whilst also providing value and growth
prospects for all participants. Challenges
remain: overcrowding of historic and cultural
sites, resource allocation, education and
development for local populations, equitable
sharing of financial benefits, and working
conditions are all areas where thoughtful action
is needed. However, well-planned and executed
tourism can provide a much more sustainable
future than many traditional primary and
industrial sectors.

Sustainability reporting and regulation

Increasingly, states and investors are asking
businesses to report on sustainability actions
and areas quite outside the normal day-to-day
operations of most aviation partners. From
legislation requiring reporting on actions to
combat human trafficking, to regulations on
disclosure on all aspects of corporate and social
responsibility (CSR), reporting requirements
are already becoming more granular. For an
aircraft operator doing business in multiple
jurisdictions worldwide, compliance with each
state’s individual system can be burdensome.
Investors, too, are starting to seek detailed
disclosure from many listed companies of the
climate change risks to their businesses.

A proactive approach in these areas is
encouraged as these requirements are only
likely to increase over time. This can be
through individual initiative or via a body such
as the UN Global Compact, Global Reporting
Initiative, or Task Force on Climate Related
Financial Disclosures.

Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the Vienna
Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing
Countries (LLDCs), and the Samoa Pathway for
Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

To help communicate the benefit of improved
connectivity through aviation development,
the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) has teamed up with the Air Transport
Action Group (ATAG) and several UN agencies
in the Aviation Partnerships for Sustainable
Development initiative.

Partnership for sustainable
development

The SDGs are not going to be achieved without
collaborative efforts by governments, with
businesses and civil society all working together.
Luckily, aviation is very experienced in working
in partnership to set and achieve system-wide
goals. In safety and security, and most recently
climate change, air transport at a global level has
followed the day-to-day operational philosophy of
working together for the benefit of all, including
with a well-connected network of suppliers.
When it comes to meeting the SDGs, we will
need to also work with governments and other
partners to ensure the greatest benefits.

Our most enduring global partnership is with
ICAO, a specialised United Nations agency with
a unique role: to help set global standards for
this most global of industries. ICAO has also
undertaken analysis of how its organisational
strategy supports the SDGs 4.

Aviation is vital for the broader tourism industry
as well, with the sector contributing heavily
to world economic development. The United
Nations World Tourism Organization estimates
that the sector accounts for one in every 11 jobs
and 30% of global services export income 5. The
United Nations General Assembly earmarked
2017 as the International Year of Sustainable
Tourism for Development, a recognition of the
cross-cutting nature of tourism and the need
for sustainable growth in what will be an even
more important industry in the future. The
International Year is being structured into five
key themes which also encompass the SDGs:
» Inclusive and sustainable growth
» Social inclusiveness, employment and

poverty reduction

» Resource efficiency, environmental
protection and climate change

» Cultural values, diversity and heritage
» Mutual understanding, peace

and security

AVIATION BENEFITS BEYOND BORDERS | 4

Using this report

AVIATION AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Direct relevance to
‘global’ aviation

This report is a snapshot of how aviation
currently supports the sustainable development
of societies through the prism of the SDGs.
Aviation has a global role in supporting aspects
of 15 of the SDGs. For each of these, we have
identified some of the sub-targets and indicators
that could be relevant to air transport.

A small selection of actions already underway
by the aviation sector is expanded on the ATAG
website www.aviationbenefits.org/SDGs.

We have also identified some ideas of how
individual aviation organisations can play their
unique role and where governments can help
boost sustainable air transport.

. For the remaining

Aviation’s role is different across the SDGs.
In some of them, the SDG is fully relevant to
. In others, we have broad
our sector
influence, or the SDG is relevant to the actions
of the aviation sector
few, we have limited direct involvement, but
can provide a support function to other sectors
or actions
the goal does not always have a direct aviation
element, however, some aviation partners may
find them particularly relevant (because of their
local situations, or the destinations they serve)
and so we have also included those examples in
this report.

. In two of the SDGs

,

This report should be seen as a guide to
how aviation partners can use the SDGs as
a framework for their own sustainability
planning, but it is just a guide. Airports, airlines,
air navigation service providers, manufacturers
and the many thousands of other partners
throughout the supply chain must look
at their own unique circumstances and assess
how they can best serve the future of the
industry, their workforce, their customers, their
communities and the planet.

1: NO POVERTY

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2: ZERO HUNGER

End hunger, achieve food security and improved
nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3: GOOD HEALTH
AND WELLBEING

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being
for all at all ages

4: QUALITY EDUCATION

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and
promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5: GENDER EQUALITY

Achieve gender equality and empower
all women and girls

6: CLEAN WATER
AND SANITATION

Ensure availability and sustainable management of
water and sanitation for all

7: AFFORDABLE AND
CLEAN ENERGY

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable
and modern energy for all

8: DECENT WORK AND
ECONOMIC GROWTH

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic
growth, full and productive employment
and decent work for all

9: INDUSTRY,
INNOVATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE

10: REDUCED
INEQUALITIES

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and
sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

Reduce inequality within and among countries

11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES
AND COMMUNITIES

Make cities and human settlements inclusive,
safe, resilient and sustainable

12: RESPONSIBLE
CONSUMPTION
AND PRODUCTION

Ensure sustainable consumption and
production patterns

13: CLIMATE ACTION

Take urgent action to combat climate change
and its impacts

14: LIFE BELOW WATER

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and
marine resources for sustainable development

15: LIFE ON LAND

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of
terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests,
combat desertification, and halt and reverse land
degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND
STRONG INSTITUTIONS

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable
development, provide access to justice for
all and build effective, accountable and inclusive
institutions at all levels

17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR
THE GOALS

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise
the global partnership for sustainable development

FLYING IN FORMATION | 5

Relevance to aviation

SDG1: NO POVERTY
End poverty in all its forms everywhere

ALTHOUGH AIR TRANSPORT HAS A LIMITED ROLE TO PLAY IN HELPING THOSE
LIVING UNDER EXTREME POVERTY, IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY CAN HELP BUILD
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO LIFT STANDARDS OF LIVING. AVIATION DIRECTLY
CREATES JOBS IN THE INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS OTHER SECTORS INDIRECTLY,
PROVIDING 62.7 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE WITH THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

IT IS ALSO ESTIMATED THAT 54% OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS TRAVEL TO
THEIR DESTINATION BY AIR, HELPING TO SUPPORT EMPLOYMENT IN THE
TOURISM INDUSTRY. REMITTANCES (MONEY SENT HOME TO DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES BY CITIZENS WORKING OVERSEAS) ACCOUNT FOR VITAL FOREIGN
INCOME IN MANY STATES. THE WORLD BANK ESTIMATES AROUND $479 BILLION
IS SENT IN REMITTANCES EACH YEAR – THE LINKS HOME MADE POSSIBLE
THROUGH RAPID AIR TRANSPORT.

From the SDGs: relevant targets
1.4) By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the
vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to
basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property,
inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial
services, including microfinance.

1.a) Ensure significant mobilisation of resources from a variety of sources,
including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide
adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least
developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in
all its dimensions.

UNICEF’S AIRLINE PARTNERSHIP
CHANGE FOR GOOD HAS RAISED
$150 MILLION BY COLLECTING
COINS FROM PASSENGERS,
HELPING TO SAVE AND IMPROVE
THE LIVES OF MILLIONS OF
CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD 6.

AVIATION BENEFITS BEYOND BORDERS | 6