IATA symposium highlights Brussels Role in shaping aviation sustainability policy

The fourth IATA World Sustainability Symposium takes place October 13-14, 2026 in Brussels.
The event focuses on policies and actions for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Three key themes include scaling energy solutions, harmonizing policies and advancing innovation.
WSS and Wings of Change Europe take place consecutively for the first time.
IATA represents over 370 airlines accounting for some 85pc of global air traffic.

The International Air Transport Association holds the fourth World Sustainability Symposium in Brussels, Belgium, on October 13-14, 2026, bringing together leaders from aviation, energy, finance, technology, academia and government. The event focuses on policies and actions needed to advance air transport’s transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The symposium takes place in Brussels, where many of aviation’s most consequential sustainability policies are shaped, providing a connection between industry leaders and policymakers.

The agenda focuses on three key themes: scaling solutions for air transport’s energy transition including HEFA Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Low Carbon Aviation Fuels and co-processing; designing and harmonizing policies that favour global, transparent, liquid and competitive markets in SAF, carbon credits and other solutions; and advancing innovation and understanding including emerging technologies, non-CO2 effects and sustainability throughout the aircraft lifecycle. The symposium programme features senior executives, policymakers, regulators, investors, fuel producers and sustainability experts among the confirmed speakers.

For the first time, the WSS and Wings of Change Europe take place consecutively in the same venue, creating a week of dialogue among sustainability specialists, airline leaders, policymakers, regulators and industry experts. Participants registered for WSS receive complimentary access to WOCE on October 15, 2026. The two events together provide a platform to examine both the decarbonization of air transport and broader strategic issues shaping Europe’s aviation sector. IATA represents over 370 airlines accounting for some 85pc of global air traffic.

The event will focus on the policies and actions needed to advance air transport’s transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The symposium takes place in Brussels where many of aviation’s most consequential sustainability policies are shaped, providing a unique opportunity to connect industry leaders and policymakers. The event facilitates constructive dialogue to accelerate decarbonization while preserving the economic and social benefits of air connectivity.

The agenda focuses on three key themes critical to aviation’s decarbonization: scaling solutions for air transport’s energy transition with a focus on HEFA Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Low Carbon Aviation Fuels and co-processing; designing and harmonizing policies that favour global, transparent, liquid and competitive markets in SAF, carbon credits and other solutions; and advancing innovation and understanding including emerging technologies, non-CO2 effects and sustainability throughout the aircraft lifecycle. The symposium programme features senior executives, policymakers, regulators, investors, fuel producers and sustainability experts.

The WSS and Wings of Change Europe take place consecutively in the same venue for the first time, creating a unique week of dialogue among sustainability specialists, airline leaders, policymakers, regulators and industry experts. Participants registered for WSS receive complimentary access to WOCE on October 15, 2026. The two events together provide a comprehensive platform to examine both the decarbonization of air transport and the broader strategic issues shaping Europe’s aviation sector.

Marie Owens Thomsen shared: “Europe has set ambitious objectives for air transport’s decarbonization, but policies often do not recognize these interdependencies. The air transport industry is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. But airlines’ energy transition cannot happen in isolation.”