About the Aviation Environment Federation
The Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) is the principal UK non-profit making environmental association concerned with the environmental effects of aviation.
We promote a sustainable future for aviation which fully recognises, and takes account of, all its environmental and amenity effects, ranging from aircraft noise issues associated with small airstrips or helipads to the contribution of airline emissions to climate change.
AEF is a membership organisation and we provide advice and information to our members.
More about the AEF
History and membership
The AEF was established in 1975 because of growing concerns about noise from private aircraft. This remains an important part of AEF’s work, but in recent years increasing attention has been focussed on the impacts of commercial aviation.
The AEF has over 120 affiliated members comprising community and environmental groups, local authorities, parish councils, businesses and consultancies and individuals.
To join the AEF see our membership page.
Objectives
Derived from the AEF’s constitution, the objectives of the Federation are as follows:
* To foster a climate of opinion which takes full account of the environmental issues arising from aircraft and aerodrome use
* To promote a relationship between the environment and aviation in which the detrimental effects of aviation on quality of life and on the natural and man-made environment are kept to a minimum
* To encourage wide discussion of the problems involved and to seek practical solutions
* To consult and co-operate with local, national and international governments, the aviation industry, regulatory authorities, universities, professional institutions, research bodies, and any others for the purpose of reducing noise, disturbance and all forms of pollution by technical and operational means
* To pursue these objectives with policy-making and legislative bodies – local, national and international – so that laws and policies include measures for effective environmental protection
* To provide relevant advice and information to assist its members
* To publicise and promote the viewpoint of the Federation through the media and through representation among bodies responsible for aviation matters, as appropriate.
How we work
The AEF works closely with local, national and international decision-makers to achieve this objective, having representation on Government and European Commission working groups and observer status to the environmental committee of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
As well as supporting these national and international activities, members can receive expert advice on how to approach local airport and airfield issues. Our regular newsletter ‘Flying Green’, reports and seminars keep the membership up to date with the latest environmental news and issues.
What we do
Core work
We offer advice and information in response to enquiries and requests for help from members concerning local issues such as noise mitigation, the planning and development control process, and aerodrome case histories.
The AEF uses members’ experiences and its own research to highlight gaps in policy or legislation, to inform its campaigns, and to develop positions on policy development and consultations.
Current activities
* Follow-up work on the Government’s aviation white paper (published December 2003)
* Responses to Select Committee, Royal Commission and other investigations
* Input to policy working groups and studies
* Tracking development of the European Emissions Trading System (ETS)
The AEF also provides the environmental perspective on committees such as the Stakeholder Council of NATS.
Funding
The AEF’s core work is funded by membership subscriptions, donations, and by grants from trusts and charities working in the field of environmental protection. We also undertake selected consultancy tasks.
Helping the AEF
If you are interested in supporting our work please consider joining the AEF as a member. There are also a number of ways in which you can make a donation or sponsor our activities – please contact us for further details.
