Industry insiders and experts take part in a roundtable dialogue during the North Bund International Aviation Forum 2021 on Thursday in Shanghai. [Provided to China Daily]

Green development snatched the spotlight at the North Bund International Aviation Forum 2021 on Thursday in Shanghai, as industrial leaders launched a carbon reduction cooperation initiative for the global aviation sector, and a standard for green airports was issued as well.

Senior executives from 20 corporations in the aviation sector jointly proposed an initiative on carbon reduction cooperation for the global air transport industry.

In the meantime, a standard system of green airport construction, operation and maintenance was released. It was worked out in line with the nation's goal of achieving carbon neutrality, and it will serve as the development guideline for China's airports.

"The standard has raised specific criteria for green airport development in five aspects of resource saving, health and comfort, low carbon emissions, environmentally friendly, and efficient operations," said Wang Ruiping, chairman of China Civil Airports Association.

The standard provides guidance for the construction of green and low carbon civil airports in China and it will lead the whole industry in achieving carbon neutrality, according to Wang.

Despite the challenges posed to the sector, the aviation industry remains confident about its outlook. The International Air Transport Association is actively responding to the impact of climate changes with solutions, and members of the IATA are resolute in enhancing their environmental performance, said Willie Walsh, director general of International Air Transport Association.

Walsh said the aviation industry suffered huge losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. China's domestic market, accounting for 20 percent of the global aviation business, is of great significance.

The changing global economy, social development, manufacture and lifestyle require the aviation industry to exploit sustainable development patterns, so the sector would more actively and broadly serve the economy and social development, said Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Eastern Air Holding Co Ltd.

The North Bund International Aviation Forum is jointly organized by China Eastern Air Holding Co Ltd and the Shanghai Airport Authority. It is one of two parallel forums of the 2021 North Bund Forum hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and the Ministry of Transport.

Aviation is responsible for a major portion of global passenger transportation and high value added freight traffic. By becoming a global shipping center, Shanghai is also gearing up to build an international shipping hub, said Zhang Wei, vice-mayor of Shanghai.

The international aviation forum was themed sustainable development of the global aviation industry. It is looking to boost communications and cooperation across the international aviation industry, promote sustainable development of the sector, strengthen the aviation industry's role in global trading, as well as facilitate the healthy development of global economy and trade.