The Sustainable Space Summit, organised by the Scottish Space Leadership Council (SSLC), took place at the end of June, following months of engagement between space and environmental sectors. The ground-breaking event received the endorsement and support of Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and European Space Agency (ESA) Director-General Dr Josef Aschbacher highlighting the urgent need for further engagement to address the growing problem of space debris and space sustainability.

The online virtual Summit showcased findings to attendees from around the world bringing together global space sector stakeholders, a panel of high-profile speakers, and environmental groups, to explore solutions to sustainability-focused challenges. The Summit programme included sessions from ESA’s Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer Andrea Vena on their Charter for a Responsible Space Sector, as well as the Scotch Whisky Association’s Head of Sustainability, Morag Garden, who has steered her sector towards a more organised approach to environmental protection.