Climate adaptation in aviation
As the UK's independent aviation and aerospace regulator, we recognise the pressing need to adapt the aviation sector to the realities of a changing climate.
The impacts of climate change, including more intense storms, rising temperatures, and sea-level rise, pose significant risks to airport operations, air traffic management, and passenger safety.
Climate adaptation in aviation refers to the actions needed to be taken by the aviation industry, government, regulators and others to prepare for and adjust to the effects of existing and future effects of climate change. Our goal is to help reduce the negative effects of climate change on aviation and to support industry to potentially enable benefits from any opportunities that arise.
Examples of climate adaptation include:
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Building flood defences and improving flood planning;
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Creating green spaces at airports to help manage increased temperatures; and
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Ensuring uniforms are suitable for wearing in increased temperatures.
Our role
The Department for Transport is due to publish its Climate Adaptation Strategy this year, following its consultation [link] in 2024, and we anticipate that there will be specific areas within that strategy where we will have a leading role in supporting industry with its climate adaptation plans.
We work closely with:
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The Department for Transport to support its work on climate adaptation and resilience.
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Industry, co-chairing the UK Aviation Climate Adaptation Working Group with DfT and Airports UK which aims to share best practice on climate adaptation within the aviation industry, support the industry to improve preparedness and improve understanding and implementation of climate adaptation measures.
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The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), for example to contribute to relevant working groups on standards. https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/pages/adaptation.aspx.
We welcome dialogue with stakeholders working on climate adaptation in aviation. If you have questions or would like to contribute to our ongoing work, please contact our Sustainability Team at environment@caa.co.uk.