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Weston Executive Airport Receives Environmental Certification
As part of the airports commitment to the environment and to being a good neighbour an environmental officer has been appointed to drive the airport’s voluntary environmental management programme.
In 2007 Weston Executive Airport was one of a very few private airports worldwide to have received independently audited certification of the airport’s Environment Management System.
As a further step, Weston Airport commissioned a study of the noise impact of repositioning Runway 07. The consultant’s report showed that there would be significant noise reductions within communities to the east of the runway by repositioning the runway further to the west. In line with a policy of continuing environmental improvement, Weston Executive Airport is applying to the appropriate authorities for approval to reposition the existing runway further the west.
The most recent focus of Weston Airport’s commitment to minimising the impact of airport operations on nearby communities is the introduction of our voluntary Fly Neighbourly Programme and associated noise complaint procedures.
Environmental Management at Weston Airport
Weston Executive Airport has been independently audited and has achieved Level 2 Environmental Management Systems Certification.
A copy of the certificate and the airport’s environmental policy are on display within the airport terminal.
The airport’s Environmental policy and further details of the environmental management systems certification programme are available on www.greendragonems.com
The elements of the Environmental Management System at Weston Airport include:
Responsibility
This involves appointing someone as the "Environmental Champion". Their role is to act as a co-coordinator for all environmental activities within the organisation and be the driving force behind environmental improvements.
Environmental Review
In order to understand the impact of Weston Airport upon the environment, a baseline audit of all activities and operations on site in order to identify environmental impacts and legal obligations was carried out. The review addressed specific environmental issues as set out in the Green Dragon Standard.
Environmental Policy
Taking into account all of the issues highlighted as part of the initial Environmental Review, Weston Airport developed an environmental policy that acted as a guiding document for all environmental improvements. This policy is now available on the Green Dragon website and is on public display within the airport terminal, and on Weston Airport’s website.
Improvement Plan
Based on the information obtained as part of the initial Environmental Report and the commitments made in the Environmental Policy, Weston Airport prepared a plan to improve its impact on the environment. Regular reviews are taking place to ensure that the objectives set out in the improvement plan are being achieved.
Statement of Environmental Impacts
Using the Environmental Review, Weston Airport highlighted those areas of its activities and operations that have a key impact on the environment. These activities and their associated environmental impacts were documented and recognised by senior management.
Register of Environmental Legislation
Using the information gathered as part of the Environmental Review, Weston Airport identified and recorded all environmental legislation and other obligations that are applicable to the operations of the organisation. Steps are being taken to ensure compliance with the identified environmental obligations.
Internal Communication
Weston Airport has taken some steps to ensure that all employees are aware of the organisation's key impacts on the environment and understand their responsibilities and duties with regard to protecting the environment, complying with legal obligations and generally improving the organisation's impact on the environment. This will be put in place for all incoming staff as part of their induction programme
Environmental Records
Monitoring is being carried out to obtain information on key environmental indicators within Weston Airport. Weston Airport is ensuring that adequate records are maintained to ensure the effectiveness of the environmental management system.
The Future of Weston Airport’s Environmental Management Programme
The overall objective of Weston Airport’s Environmental Management Programme is to maintain Level 2 environmental certification while over time progressing towards Level 3 certification.
Weston Airport will have to participate in an annual independent audit if it is to maintain its existing Level 2 environmental certification. The maintenance of the existing environmental certification involves:
- An annual independent environmental review
- The upkeep and monitoring of environmental records
- Updating its register of environmental legislation
- Ensuring that all employees understand the requirements of the environmental certification and their responsibilities and duties with regard to protecting the environment
- Complying with legal obligations and generally improving the organisation's impact on the environment
- Seeking ways to continually improve Weston Airport’s environmental performance
Progression to Level 3 certification involves maintaining all of the elements of Level 2 certification and implementing the following additional seven elements:
- Register of Environmental Impacts
The Statement of Environmental Impacts prepared in Level 2 is replaced with a more comprehensive analysis of the organisation's impact on the environment.
- Evaluation of Significant Impacts
The environmental impacts of the organisation need to be evaluated to determine the significance of impact on the environment.
- Pollution Prevention Plan
Potential areas of risk to the environment should be identified and steps taken to minimize those risks.
- Objectives & Targets
Objectives and Targets should be set to improve the organisation's impact on the environment.
- Monitoring Environmental Progress
Environmental improvements need to be monitored to ensure the organisation remains on target.
- Carbon Data Collection
Data on energy use needs to be collected and the quantity of Carbon Dioxide released by the organisation calculated.
- Environmental Statement
The organisation may decide to publish a brief statement of their environmental activities and performance.
Should Weston Airport achieve Level 3 of the standard the company will receive a certificate and the Green Dragon Plaque. In recognition of reaching these advanced stages of environmental management, Weston Airport can also display the Green Dragon Logo on stationery and marketing materials. Company details, Environmental Policy, Objectives & Targets, Carbon Dioxide released and the Environmental Statement (where produced) will be registered on the Green Dragon website.
Technology, Land Use and other Measures
- Weston Airport has placed two large interceptors in the ground to capture any fluids before they reach the river Liffey, in the unlikely event that there will be a discharge from an aircraft or ground transportation vehicle.
- Weston Airport have built acoustic land banks around the airfield to reduce noise levels beyond the airport boundary.
- Noise monitoring equipment has been purchased and deployed.
- Airport management are encouraging flying schools to purchase eco friendly flight trainers with lower noise and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Noise abatement training material and advice is being made available to all operators through this website.
- A Special Fly Neighbourly Progamme has been designed by Trans European Consultancy Ltd for Weston Executive Airport. This is the most comprehensive programme of its type ever introduced by a private executive airport. Full details are available on this website.
- A dedicated Noise Complaint Hotline has been purchased and is in operation.
- A facility has been introduced through the Fly Neighbourly Programme for complaints to be made on-line using a specially designed complaints form.
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