Find more information on aviation and the environment:
The CAA's role on the environment
Aviation activity has always has an impact
on the environment: both internationally through contribution to climate change
and locally through effects on noise and air quality. The CAA encourages the
industry to lead on these challenges, but has an important role to play in
specific areas. Our roles and duties are summarised below. An overview of the roles of other
organisations is available on our Environmental
stakeholders page.
Noise
The CAA has three key roles around aviation noise:
- Deciding whether or not the design of contracted airspace can be changed, in accordance with government, law and noise policy. We are currently reviewing and consulting on our airspace change decision process. Detailed information is available on our airspace change pages.
- Monitoring noise around UK airports and publishing information about noise levels and impacts. We do this for a range of customers including the UK Government, airport operators, airspace change proposers and local authorities.
- Collaborating on and reviewing research into the effects of noise and how they can be reduced, and offering advice to Government on these effects.
The CAA does not:
- Make decisions about the amount of noise that is considered damaging or annoying for people.
- Make decisions about particular plans for airports, such as expansions.
Complaints about aircraft noise
The CAA is tasked by government to provide a focal point for aviation-related environmental enquiries and complaints. You can lodge a complaint about aviation noise to the CAA via an electronic form. The details you provide will be logged in our complaints and enquiries database and, where appropriate, will be referred to the relevant airport, air traffic control provider or to the Secretary of State. More information is available on how to complain about aircraft noise.
Complaints about noise generated by aircraft flying to or from a specific airport should be directed to the airport concerned. They will be best placed to provide information on their operations and may be able to take action is the aircraft is flying in breach of their noise abatement procedures.
Climate change
The CAA follows government policy and guidance on carbon emissions and air quality in making decisions about airspace change. It has a role in advising the government on the reduction of the industry's carbon emissions, the sharing of best practice, and the development of international initiatives such as emissions trading which is designed to address climate change.
Outside the aviation sector, the CAA also has an impact on the planning of wind power in the UK.
Air quality
The CAA's role on air quality is secondary to that of the government and local authorities, who are statutorily empowered to engage on air quality issues.
Where appropriate, the CAA gives consideration to air quality when making other regulatory decisions - particularly when establishing best practice for operators and when helping to influence new technology standards.
The CAA, as a public authority, also has a duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 to conserve and protect biodiversity.