
About
For many years, Space has played a crucial role in Europe’s efforts to enhance the well-being of its citizens and address societal and environmental challenges.
To allow the European space community to undertake common action to support the sustainable development of society, the Statement for a Responsible Space Sector was created in 2022.
With the growing expectations of European states and citizens to address the global challenges facing humanity, the signatories are encouraged to strengthen their ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable development on Earth. Thus, the main objective of the Statement is to provide a foundation for the sustainable development of the space sector while increasing the contribution of space activities to the benefit of society.
Learn more about the Statement's Ways of Working
Collaboration
Collaboration between public and private actors is essential to progress on topics that are relevant to sustainability and responsibility.
The European Space Agency, national space agencies, large system integrators, and small and medium enterprises have consistently and openly expressed their commitment to collaborate, fostering the European space sector's role in promoting sustainable societal development and achieving carbon neutrality in Europe by enhancing their responsibility and sustainability in their activities.
Creation of the Statement
To establish this cooperation based on shared objectives, principles, and values, a statement has been drafted and signed by the organisations participating in this collective undertaking. Joint initiatives in specific priority areas have already started among interested organisations (e.g., decarbonisation of the space sector, responsible procurement, and the assessment of benefits and drawbacks of using life cycle assessment/eco-design and green technologies for space products).
The purpose of this statement is to enhance the involvement of both public and industrial stakeholders, fostering a more inclusive approach to a sustainable space sector. The statement and the resulting collaboration aim to mobilise the space sector towards sustainability, ensuring that the principles and values outlined in the statement guide the actions and activities of the signatories. This, in turn, contributes and leads to the sustainable development of society while safeguarding the natural environment, life on Earth, and the space environment.
On 21 November 2022, the Statement was adopted by 23 organisations at the margins of ESA's Council meeting at ministerial level in Paris. Additionally, 8 organisations signed it during the Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC 2023) in Oslo in May 2023, and 7 more during the World Satellite Business Week in Paris in September 2023. Additional events have taken place since, adding new signatories to the Statement, and future events are foreseen.
