International climate discussions, growing our staff, and support for our members

19th July, 2013

Tim’s work this month has continued to focus on international climate change discussions, including  the opportunity to re-engage with wider climate negotiations by presenting at a UNFCCC side event on developments at ICAO (the UN body specifically devoted to aviation and currently trying to come up with measures to tackle aviation emissions). Tim also attended a meeting of the Department for Transport’s external advisory group on aviation issues, and was the guest chair and presenter at a meeting of one of our member organisations, CPRE Surrey.

For other staff, after beginning the month by hosting a meeting of AirportWatch, the umbrella organisation bringing together NGOs and community groups concerned about airport expansion, much of June was devoted to the recruitment of a new staff member, following our securing of funding for a one year paid internship to provide us with additional research and communications support. We’ve also been working on the summer newsletter for our members, and dealing with various casework inquiries, including the use of ‘permitted development’ rights by some airfields to undertake substantial infrastructure work without planning permission.

Alongside our news items, new content on our website this month includes stories on the positive outcome of the air pollution case brought to the Supreme Court and on new research on the health impacts of both air pollution and noise.