TIACA announces launch of 3rd air cargo sustainability awards

April 1, 2021: The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) announced that the third edition of the Air Cargo Sustainability Award and is now open for applications.

The competition aims to recognize outstanding businesses and industry initiatives leading the way to a more sustainable air cargo industry. CHAMP Cargosystems, the industry IT solution provider, has committed to continue sponsoring these awards.

Chris McDermott, CEO of CHAMP Cargosystems, the exclusive sponsor of the awards, said, “We are delighted to be supporting the TIACA Sustainability Awards for the third consecutive year. In the current climate, it is particularly important to look for opportunities to support more efficient business practices and to promote the sustainability agenda. If history teaches us anything, it is that in challenging times innovative ideas emerge. We, therefore, look forward to this year’s applications to see the range of pioneering solutions that are proposed to help the air cargo industry in a way that is supportive of our planet.”

TIACA is calling for applications demonstrating solutions and practices making positive change in any of the areas of TIACA’s sustainability vision for air cargo:

• supporting social welfare (people development, social programs, equal opportunities)
• economic development (business efficiency, optimization, trade development)
• environmental impact (green logistics, reduced carbon footprint)
• innovation (technology, automation, AI, data, unmanned vehicles, ULDs)
• partnership (uniting the industry, common achievements, building back better together)

This year, two categories of leadership in sustainability will be awarded:

Corporate prize will recognize an established corporation, an international organization or a scholar with a long-standing presence in the cargo community.

The Start-up and small business prize will recognize and encourage young growing as well as small businesses building their presence in air cargo industry:

• Winner: $10’000
• Two runners-up: $2’500 each

While the corporate prize is focused on recognition and support; we want to specifically recognize and support the start-up and small business finalists that may need the financial support to get things up and running with a cash prize.

All shortlisted candidates will also be recognized with access to exclusive TIACA events and speaking opportunities, publicity in TIACA’s communication and networking opportunities.

Steven Polmans, Chairman, TIACA, said, “More than ever our industry finds itself developing innovative solutions to deal with crises that we face every day in our businesses. I am proud to say that our industry has responded enthusiastically to the challenges we have been presented. We hope that by launching this year’s award we will encourage industry leaders to find and opt for sustainable solutions as we push our industry further into the future. We want to recognize those that continue to inspire a more sustainable air cargo industry, in turn making our industry more resilient.”

A panel of independent industry and sustainability experts will select the three shortlisted submissions in each category. The award finalists will be invited to present their solutions at the Executive Summit in San Francisco, CA, September 21-24, quite possibly the first event after the world opens up after Covid-19.

Applications will be accepted from March 31 through August 15 2021.