Delta Air Lines flies all over the world, helping to close the gap between us and bring the world closer together. Now Delta is helping to close the poverty gap as well, joining Global Citizen’s recently launched Global Goal Live: The Possible Dream campaign with a multi-million dollar contribution from the Delta Air Lines Foundation.

Delta’s support will contribute to Global Citizen’s year-long campaign to mobilize resources to achieve the United Nations’ Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030. Global Goal Live aims to bridge the $350 billion annual funding gap in the 59 poorest countries that will be needed to achieve the Global Goals in ending extreme poverty, addressing climate change, and reducing inequality.

With the launch of the new campaign, Global Citizen, in partnership with Teneo, is mobilizing everyday citizens, corporations, governments, and philanthropists to reprioritize efforts to end extreme poverty and ensure the realization of the Global Goals. The 2020 campaign will culminate in an historic 10-hour global media event on Sept. 26, 2020.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian will co-chair Global Citizen’s private sector CEO Coalition that brings together leaders from several industries including technology, telecoms, and transportation. “Our commitment to the Global Citizen movement is born out of our determination to make the world better and more connected by acting on our values,” Bastian said. “Delta is set to contribute more in the coming months in support of the 2020 campaign and our responsibility to the campaign goals.”

"We are thrilled that Delta is coming on board to support our historic and urgent Global Goal Live campaign. 2020 will be our most impactful year yet and it's only through partnerships with corporate leaders like Delta that we will be able to meet our goals of ending extreme poverty, “ said Stephen Brown, Global Citizen’s Vice President of Global Partnerships. “Delta has long been a leader in the transportation industry, and we are so fortunate to have Ed head the transportation sector of our CEO Coalition."

Delta's sustainability strategy drives accountability and evaluates areas of opportunity across the business to lower its environmental impact. Since 2005, the airline has reduced its jet fuel consumption, leading to an 11 percent decrease in emissions as Delta works toward its long-term goal of reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2050. Most recently, Delta invested $2 million in a feasibility study of a biofuel production facility and flew its first of 20 carbon-neutral delivery flights using biofuels and carbon offsets this summer. Delta has capped its carbon emissions at 2012 levels by purchasing offsets and also removed a variety of single-use plastic items onboard, from amenity kits and from Delta Sky Clubs.

Delta works to promote gender equality in the workplace and again achieved 100 percent pay parity for employees in frontline jobs in 2019, in addition to partnering with women-owned businesses through its supplier diversity program. This year, the airline will celebrate its fifth-annual "WING Flight" to close the gender gap in aviation. Delta is also a leading voice in the fight against human trafficking, a criminal and social issue that largely exploits women and children. The airline has committed $2.5M to Polaris in support of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, provided 100 flights to transport victims and survivors, and has trained over 66,000 employees to detect and report signs of trafficking since 2011.

Delta invests more than 1 percent of its net profits each year to communities where the airline's employees live, work and serve. Last year, that support exceeded $50 million toward focus areas such as health and education. Delta works to improve global wellness as the No. 1 Corporate Blood Donor to the American Red Cross, raising over $14.6 million for Breast Cancer Research Foundation and building 270 homes with Habitat for Humanity in 13 countries. The airline supports education through sponsoring 30 Junior Achievement chapters across four continents, developing strong community partnerships with 3DE and Atlanta Public Schools, and building 30 playgrounds in 14 U.S. cities in partnership with KaBOOM!