Working Groups

Signatories of the Statement for a Responsible Space Sector work together to advance this issue. They are organised into Working Groups that work on specific topics.

WG - LCA, eco-design and green technologies in the space sector

Objectives

The objective of the Working Group is to drive European space actors towards the design of space products (platforms, payloads, infrastructures, launchers, ground stations, data centers etc.) and services minimising their impact on the environment throughout their life cycle. Hence, the aim is to support and foster European Space actors’ engagement by joining forces and creating synergies.

Start / end date

January 2023 - present

Status

Ongoing

WG - (Continuing/new) Greenhouse gas (GHG) scope 3 methodology

Objectives

This activity aims to collectively define a methodology to assess upstream GHG emissions categories (purchase of goods and services) through collaborative consultation with the industry to ensure accuracy and alignment with established processes.

Knowledge sharing on best practices, challenges, data collection, emission factors, normalisation factors, etc., is also part of this activity.

Guidelines on GHG scope 3 emissions assessment methodology for specific emissions categories (purchase of goods and services) shall be deliverables of this working group, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document addressing common queries related to GHG methodology, especially those related to specific emission categories.

Start / end date

January 2025 / present

Status

Ongoing

WG - (Continuing) ecodesign and LCA in the space sector

Objectives

This activity aims to drive the European space sector towards the design of space products (e.g. platforms, payloads, infrastructures, launchers, ground stations, data centres) and services minimising their impact on the environment throughout their life cycle.

This will support and foster a coherent approach, use of common methodologies and tools across the ecosystem.

Information and discussion on PEF-CR activity will be proposed as well as continuous information about progress within the ESA taskforce on ecodesign.

Start / end date

January 2023 / present

Status

Ongoing (a webinar will be organised in November for new signatories wishing to join this activity)

WG - CSRD Workshop

Objectives

The workshop on Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) & Taxonomy for the space sector addressed how signatories are impacted (now or in a near future) by the new EU reporting regulation (mainly industry and SMEs).

The workshop provided both background information on CSRD & EU Taxonomy requirements, testimonies from CNES and ESA. It was also aimed to share challenges and best practices to align reporting.

CNES and ESA have organised this workshop on the 5th of December 2024 at ESA HQ-Nikis.

Deliverable [only for the Signatory Space]

MoM + recording (available for Signatories)

Start / end date

December 2024 / open

Status

Future activities are being explored by current participants

WG - Toolkit for new and existing signatories

Objectives

This activity focused on creating a practical toolkit to help new and existing signatories in implementing the principles of the statement.

The toolkit provides practical resources, best practices, a summary of past and ongoing activities and a general presentation template for Signatories to use for consistent communication.

Deliverable

Digital toolkit - download ⬇️

Start / end date

May / June 2025

Status

Closed

WG - Decarbonisation of the European space sector

Objectives

The main objectives of the Working Group are to:

Assess/estimate the actual carbon footprint of the sector
Define common objectives and targets for GHG emissions reduction at sectoral level
Identify priorities for action and set up a common roadmap
Establish relevant indicators and measure their values at sectoral level.

Start / end date

February 2022 / April 2023

Status

Closed

WG - Responsible procurement

Objectives

The main objective of the Working Group is to define the first step of a responsible procurement approach for the European Space Agency and its value chain by establishing and publishing a CSR Code of Conduct.

Outcome

ESA CSR code of Conduct (click to download)

Start / end date

May 2022 / March 2023

Status

Closed

WG - Lunch & Learns on sustainability initiatives (new name: Sustainability Talks)

Objectives

This activity aims to share knowledge among signatories.

Sustainability Talks will be organised on a voluntary basis, with topics and presentations to be offered by signatories.

Presentations will introduce concepts – technical, regulatory, etc. –, challenges, solutions and more (one example could be satellites end of life approach and the environmental impacts of re-entries.

This can be explored, along opportunities for signatories to get involved in activities beyond the Statement (e.g. research funding).

Start / end date

Rolling

Status

To be started soon

WG - Advancing space circular economy

Objectives

Space circular economy is essential for sustainable and efficient operations, with growing focus on refurbishment, recycling, and in-orbit manufacturing.

This activity will explore these key areas to identify priorities and actionable pathways for the sector. By engaging the full value chain of the Statement signatories, the activity will explore critical equipment, typical failures, opportunities for recycling taught by Earth-based practices. Participants will share insights to build consensus on technological and process-related priorities for advancing the circular economy in space.

The findings will guide future R&D efforts and inform collaborations with other initiatives, such as Zero Debris Charter.

A white paper or report summarising key priorities around materials, technologies, processes, for advancing the space circular economy shall be the deliverable of this working group.

Start / end date

Kick-off planned for September 2025

Status

Planned

WG - European space sector decarbonisation roadmap

Objectives

The European space sector plays a critical role in addressing global sustainability challenges and is led by example in reducing its carbon footprint.

This activity aims to collectively assess the sector’s current GHG emissions, establish shared objectives, and identify priority actions for decarbonisation.

By leveraging the expertise and data of all stakeholders, the activity will result in a coordinated roadmap for emissions reduction.

It will include sector-wide targets, actionable steps, and relevant indicators to track progress. This initiative will provide the industry with a clear path to achieving climate goals.

A European Space Sector Decarbonisation Roadmap shall be the deliverable of this working group.

Start / end date

Q4 2025

Status

Planned

WG - Review of European cooperation for space standardisation (ECCS) standards for enhanced environmental sustainability

Objectives

The European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS) is an initiative established to develop a coherent, single set of user-friendly standards for use in all European space activities.

The objective of this activity is to suggest recommendations to improve ECSS standards with regards to environmental aspects by identifying potential improvement through the lens of environmental sustainability.

A common example refers to clean rooms for which pressure, temperature or humidity parameters could be slightly modified without decreasing the overall performance of the manufacturing process.

The related decrease in energy consumption would reduce environmental impacts of these processes.

The aim is to produce a report on the sustainability review of ECSS Standards (Analysis, recommendations, and implementation roadmap).

Start / end date

To be planned

Status

Planned

WG - Space agencies working group

Objectives

This activity is a dedicated working group targeting national space agencies, signatories of the Statement.

The objective is to explore common visions and share approaches to responsible procurement, especially considering the introduction of company and/or product related sustainability requirements and to produce a White Paper presenting a common vision on responsible procurement and plan for coordinated actions during a significant conference.

Start / end date

To be planned

Status

On hold

Working Groups

Status

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