The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) is expanding its efforts to enable the industry to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with the creation of two working groups to develop guidelines surrounding the new Standards and Training for Aviation Responsibility and Sustainability (Stars) initiative.

A concept developed from a group of young business aviation professionals across Europe with the support of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), the Stars program was created to establish a set of standards and resources for companies to achieve accreditation for progressive social and environmental best practices. The program is set up in three tiers and designed to enable even the smallest operator to participate.

Comprising representatives from business aviation companies, one working group will focus on environmental standards, while the second will focus on social standards. Once completed, the standards will be integrated into the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) and the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH), as well as available for standalone use for organizations that do not involve operating aircraft or providing ground services.

“The road to recovery from Covid-19 can and should happen in a sustainable way across all industries,” said EBAA secretary-general Athar Husain Khan. “Stars aims to provide the guidance and resources to do so. We anticipate having the standards and the accompanying label ready to launch in early 2021.”

Kurt Edwards, IBAC secretary-general. said the social and environmental guidance will provide a cross-section of the industry with a “clear path towards further contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”