We recognise that our business activities have environmental consequences and we continuously review our environmental performance to seek to minimise and mitigate those effects. As a responsible business, we aim for all actions across Belfast International Airport to contribute to sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more information please download our Environmental Policy below.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
In January 2023 Belfast International Airport received ISO 14001 certification for our Environmental Management System (EMS). This outlines the impact that the airport has on the environment, but is also aimed at improving the efficiency of our management systems thereby enhancing value to passengers and other relevant stakeholders. The certification, granted by the NQA, represents an important step towards environmental management. The airport has been working on several sustainability initiatives that has led to the achievement of the ISO 14001 accreditation including; the roll out of LED lighting throughout the terminal, the use of solar power to power all aspects of the airport and a commitment to reducing waste and water usage. Further initiatives are planned throughout 2023 including LED lighting across the airfield and the introduction of fully electric passenger buses. Alongside our 14001 certification, we are working on our ISO 50001 Energy Management System which will allow for better energy management across our site. This in turn will allow Belfast International Airport to further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in line with our targets.
Airport Carbon Accreditation Scheme
Belfast International Airport, member of the VINCI Airports network since 2018, has entered the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program by reaching the level 2 Reduction for its initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. ACA is the only global, airport-specific program that certifies airports' efforts to manage and reduce its carbon emissions. This accreditation illustrates the efficiency of VINCI Airports’ environmental action plan in Belfast airport. Since joining VINCI Airports network, Belfast airport has achieved a -20 % decrease of its direct carbon emissions, with key actions including LED relamping of the airport terminal and improvement of the management of energy consumption. We are currently working on achieving ACA Level 3, which involves engaging with all stakeholders across our site
Business in the Community NI Climate Action Pledge and Environmental Benchmarking Survey
Alongside signing BITC's Climate Action Pledge, in 2022 we achieved a silver in the NI BITC Environmental Benchmarking Survey and received feedback on how to further improve our environmental impacts across the site. We have been working on our 2023 application and are looking forward to finding out our results in November 2023.
As BIA is a large site, we are conscious of what consequences our actions may have on our native biodiversity. We are currently developing our biodiversity strategy and have rolled out the below initiatives.
The Millennium Woodland saw 1,000 trees planted behind the Park and Fly Car Park at the turn of the millennium. The site is now managed by the Turnaround Project which helps people who are serving sentences improve their futures through a transitional employment approach, supporting them as they move out of the justice system and towards full-time employment. The Millennium Woodland is home to several native tree species, including the airport’s namesake the alder tree.
BIA has also been designated as a conservation site for the native Irish honeybee in partnership with the Native Irish Honeybee Society (NIHBS).
The native Irish honeybee was once widespread across all of Europe; however, populations have now declined greatly due to loss of biodiversity and habitats, climate change and global warming and the increased use of pesticides and herbicides. One of the most important ways to protect this species is through the adoption of conservation areas which provide habitats with a reduction in threats such as competition or disease. The NIHBS is a cross-border organisation that consists of members and representatives from all corners of the island of Ireland. Belfast International Airport’s designation of the site as a conservation site reaffirms the airport’s commitment to the environment and our native biodiversity. For more information on native Irish honeybees and the NIHBS, check out www.nihbs.org.
Alongside the designation of the Millenium Woodland as a NIHBS site, BIA has joined the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP) as a business supporter. By joining the AIPP, we want to ensure our site helps to sustain over 100 different types of bee and 180 hoverflies on the island of Ireland. These species provide important pollination services which fertilise much of our plants and flowers, safeguarding our ecosystems.
BIA have also signed the Declaration of Buckingham through our parent, VINCI consortiums. This is an initiative managed by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales of the UK which aims to fight against illegal wildlife trafficking by promoting the collaboration of the transport actors (mainly maritime and airport). Its main objective is to enable the sharing of information with the competent authorities, in particular customs, and to raise awareness among the various players at the airport in the fight against cash trafficking (ground handlers, airlines, etc.).
Belfast International Airport has developed the below science-based targets as a response to the introduction of the Northern Ireland Climate Change Act 2022. Working towards these targets will allow us to minimise our impact on the environment whist sustainably growing for the future. Our key targets are outlined below:
To achieve these targets, we have invested heavily in the below carbon reduction measures:
In addition to carbon reduction initiatives, resource sustainability initiatives at Belfast International Airport include:
Download our 2022 Environmental Report
All out data has been externally validated by the ACA Carbon Accreditation Scheme from 2018 up to 2022.
Contact Belfast International Airport at environemt@bfs.aero for any queries or concerns regarding the environment.
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Belfast International Airport is committed to managing the noise from its operations and minimising its impact on communities living close to the airport. Belfast International Airport has prepared a Round Two Noise Action Plan in accordance with the European Union Environmental Noise Directive (Directive 2002/49/EC) also known as the ‘END’. The directive is implemented by The Environmental Noise Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006,
Belfast International Airport Sound Insulation Grant Scheme (SIGS).
For residential properties that fall within the SIGS boundary, the scheme may be able to offer a grant towards secondary glazing, high performance double glazing or loft insulation. If your property qualifies for this scheme, it will be able to offer grants towards secondary glazing, high performance double glazing or loft insulation. For further information or to see if your property qualifies, please download the following documents:
If you have any queries or comments regarding noise from aircraft, please email [email protected]. Alternatively, you can download our noise monitoring form below.