About AEF
The Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) is the principal UK NGO campaigning on aviation’s impacts for people and the environment. We formed as a federation in 1975 to represent the interests of communities living around civil airfields and airports who were increasingly affected by the noise from a rapidly growing industry, and to seek solutions at a national policy level.
AEF continues to focus on policy change. Our work now extends beyond the UK to influencing European and global policy makers, and our expertise has expanded to include local air pollution, climate change, airport planning and economic issues.
Aims and objectives
AEF’s aim is:
To protect the environment, public health and quality of life through securing policies and measures that ensure effective limits on noise, emissions and other environmental impacts from the aviation sector.
To further this aim, our objectives are:
- to seek effective legislation, policies and other measures by working with local, national and international policy-making and legislative bodies
- to promote practical solutions through consultation and co-operation with AEF members, regulatory and public bodies, the aviation industry, and others
- to support our members and affected communities in liaising with decision-makers and other stakeholders
- to provide advice, analysis and information
- to publicise and promote the role and responsibilities of the Federation
Annual Report
Our latest Annual Report for 2022 is available here.
How we work
AEF participates at all levels of the policy-making process. Our rigorous approach to highlighting the latest evidence, and willingness to engage cooperatively, have led to invitations to appear before the Airports Commission, the parliamentary Transport Committee and the Environmental Audit Committee, as well as serving on government and CAA working and expert groups. We provide a critical voice on the advisory boards of the industry coalition Sustainable Aviation, and Airport Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme. Internationally, we are a lead member of the environmental umbrella body ICSA, which participates in the environmental work, particularly on climate change, of the UN aviation body ICAO.
AEF also provides information, advice and analysis in relation to aviation’s environmental impacts to our members, the public, the media, and other environmental and community organisations. Our members’ experiences of noise and emissions, and how they are or could be regulated, are key to informing our work and developing our positions, providing first hand examples of life close to an airport or under a flightpath.
How we’re funded
AEF is an independent organisation and receives no income from Government or industry. We are funded entirely through our membership subscriptions, public donations, and project grants from charitable trusts and foundations. If you are interested in supporting our work, you can read about our membership here or donate here.