Environmental Strategy Committee

1. Committee mission statement and work programmeACI E Environmental Strategy Committee clear
 
The Environmental Strategy Committee has the following objectives:
  • To monitor and anticipate trends affecting airports in the field of environment and sustainable development and provide advice for consideration by the ACI EUROPE Board;
  • To study the implications of European legislation and policy from an environmental and sustainable development viewpoint and provide advice on how ACI EUROPE should respond;
  • To promote exchange of best practices between members;
  • To ensure and promote cohesion and exchange of information with other ACI EUROPE Committees, especially the Policy Committee, and the ACI World Environment Standing Committee (WENSC);
  • To study the implications for European airports of ICAO initiatives and develop ACI EUROPE input.
 
The key domains addressed by the Environmental Strategy Committee are the following:
  • Noise
  • Climate change and Airport Carbon Accreditation
  • Local Air Quality

In addition, it works on transversal topics, impacting the EU institutional and policy framework for aviation environmental policy. The Committee has also recently been working on climate adaptation.

 
2. 2021 Committee Leadership
 
Committee Chair: Christel Vandenhouten (Brussels Airport)
 
Committee Vice-Chair: Adam Freeman (Manchester Airports Group)
 
Committee Secretary: Alexandre de Joybert (ACI EUROPE)
 
 
3. Membership and working arrangements
 

The Environmental Strategy Committee has around 100 members, mainly environmental managers and sectorial experts at airports, e.g. in the areas of noise and air quality, but also representatives of national airport associations and World Business Partners. The work of the Committee is supported by three dedicated Task Forces (for more details, see below) and has focal points for several environmental topics (e.g. local air quality), closely monitoring the relevant policy and technical developments and reporting back to other members.

The Committee meets twice a year. The meetings are usually hosted by members.

The meetings last one day and a half. The first day is open to all Committee members, the second day is reserved to airport members only. During the first day, updates are provided for each of the Committee key focus areas. Relevant policy developments at the European and international level are presented as well, and there are usually external speakers attending, such as EUROCONTROL or the European Commission.

In between the meetings, members receive updates on relevant topics from ACI EUROPE, who may also ask for members’ input into its advocacy activities.

 
World Business Partners willing to join the Committee are expected to:
  • Actively contribute to the Committee meetings, through presentations on topics / solutions that may support the Committee work and involvement in discussions, providing a valuable, external view on the development of the sector,
  • Actively contribute to requests for information / collaboration that may be sent out by ACI EUROPE or Committee members in between the meetings.
 
4. Task Forces
 
      a. Noise Task Force
 
Rapporteur: Richard Norman, Heathrow Airport
 
The mission of the Noise Task Force is to ensure and follow-up the implementation of the ACI EUROPE Noise Strategy. This implies three main work streams:
 
  • Exchange of best practices and drafting of operational guidance material on noise management
  • Contribution to ACI EUROPE advocacy activities, e.g. through the drafting of position papers or replies to public consultations in the context of EU regulatory developments
  • Identification of research needs in the area of noise & quality of life and promotion of research activities to address them.
 
The Task Force meets two to three times a year. It is convened on an ad-hoc basis.
 
 
        b. Airport Carbon Accreditation Task Force
 
Rapporteur: Emanuel Fleuti, Zurich Airport
 
The mission of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Task Force is to ensure the continued relevance and technical robustness of Airport Carbon Accreditation.
 
This Task Force is open to airport members only. An update on the Task Force activities is however provided at the meetings of the Environmental Strategy Committee.
 
 
         c. Climate Change Task Force
 
Rapporteur: Christel Vandenhouten, Brussels Airport
 
The mission of the Climate Change Task Force is to follow up on the implementation of ACI EUROPE’s Climate Resolution from June 2019. This includes the preparation of guidance material for members to support them in achieving the Net Zero 2050 commitment.