Aviation Environment Trust

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 276987
• Annual Giving: Approximately £127,000 (2023)
• Total Income: £234,180 (2023)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with focus on UK aviation environmental impacts
• Primary Beneficiary: Aviation Environment Federation (AEF)
• Established: 1978 (formerly Airfields Environment Trust until 2011)

Contact Details

Address: 3 More London Riverside, London SE1 2RE

Email: info@aet.org.uk

Phone: 020 3859 9371

Website: www.aet.org.uk

Overview

The Aviation Environment Trust is a registered charity (number 276987) established in 1978 to advance knowledge and understanding of aviation's adverse environmental impacts through research and education. Until 2011, the charity operated as the Airfields Environment Trust. The Trust works to raise awareness and promote understanding of the environmental effects of civil aviation both locally and globally, exploring ways to reduce pollution, noise, and other adverse effects. With reserves of approximately £437,000 as of March 2023, the Trust primarily operates as a grant-making organization, channeling funding to research organizations and advocacy groups working on aviation environmental issues. The trustees come from varied backgrounds, providing the Trust with expertise in business, aviation, planning, and environmental matters.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Aviation Environment Trust operates primarily through strategic grant-making rather than open funding rounds. The Trust does not appear to have a public application process with set deadlines or funding tiers. Instead, it identifies and supports specific research projects and organizations aligned with its mission.

Primary Grant Recipient:

• Aviation Environment Federation (AEF): £126,700 (2023), £109,000 (2022)

Other Grant Activities:

• Research grants to specialized consultancies (e.g., Element Energy: £10,872; GALBA: £7,000 in 2023)
• Acts as a funding conduit for the No Airport Expansion network
• Commissions research from organizations like New Economics Foundation

Priority Areas

Research Focus:

• Aircraft noise impacts on public health and communities
• Climate change and aviation emissions
• Aviation demand management strategies
• Alternative operational practices to minimize environmental harm
• Economic impacts of aviation environmental policies

Advocacy and Education:

• Supporting NGO involvement in international aviation policy (e.g., ICAO climate goals)
• Limiting airport expansion in the UK
• Promoting sustainable aviation policies
• Disseminating research findings through seminars, conferences, and publications

Geographic Priorities:

• UK airports and flight paths, particularly major hubs like Heathrow
• Communities affected by aircraft noise and emissions
• International aviation policy frameworks

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust's focus is clearly on:

• Environmental impacts of aviation (not aviation development or industry support)
• Research and advocacy (not direct service delivery)
• Work must align with reducing aviation's environmental footprint

The Trust does not appear to fund:

• Aviation industry development or technology (unless focused on emissions reduction)
• Individual projects unrelated to their core mission
• Organizations without established track record in aviation environmental issues

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Trust is governed by a board of trustees who serve without remuneration:

• Mr. James W. Bailey - Trustee
• Mr. Roger Banks - Trustee
• Mr. Peter Barclay - Trustee
• Mr. Richard K. Roads - Trustee

The trustees bring expertise from business, aviation, planning, and environmental sectors. According to the charity's filings, no trustees receive any payments or benefits from the charity, and there are no related party transactions, ensuring independence in grant-making decisions.

Governance Principles

The Trust operates under a Deed of Trust with principal objectives to advance knowledge and understanding of aviation's adverse environmental impacts through research and education. The charity maintains transparency through annual filings with the Charity Commission and operates with clear separation between trustee oversight and operational activities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Aviation Environment Trust does not have a public application process. This is a strategic grant-maker that identifies and approaches organizations and research projects aligned with its mission, rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

The Trust operates primarily through:

• Trustee-identified projects: The board identifies research needs and commissions work from established organizations
• Partnership approach: Long-standing relationship with the Aviation Environment Federation as primary beneficiary
• Project-specific grants: Receives restricted funding from other trusts (Millennium Oak Trust, Network for Social Change, World Economic Forum) which it then directs to specific projects
• Conduit funding: Acts as a channel for grants to aligned organizations like the No Airport Expansion network

Organizations interested in the Trust's work should note that the Trust appears to work exclusively with established environmental and research organizations in the aviation sector.

Getting on Their Radar

While the Trust does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working on aviation environmental issues might consider:

Build Relationships in the Sector:

• The Trust works closely with the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) - establishing connections with AEF and demonstrating expertise in aviation environmental research may be valuable
• Participation in HACAN (community aviation campaigning) activities, as the Trust has co-sponsored projects with this organization
• Engagement with the No Airport Expansion network, which receives Trust support

Demonstrate Relevant Expertise:

• Publishing research on aircraft noise and health impacts
• Economic analysis of aviation environmental policies
• Technical expertise in aviation operations and environmental mitigation
• Track record in community engagement on aviation issues

Share Funders:

• Organizations funded by Network for Social Change, Millennium Oak Trust, or other environmental trusts may have natural alignment
• The Trust sometimes acts as a conduit for funding from these larger trusts

Sector Engagement:

• Contributing to ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) processes on climate goals
• Presenting research at environmental or aviation policy forums where trustees might be present
• Publishing in venues read by aviation environmental professionals

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the Trust does not operate on a standard application cycle. Grant decisions appear to be made on an ongoing basis as the trustees identify priority projects and research needs.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the Trust does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

While the Trust does not accept applications, analysis of their funding patterns reveals what they value:

Established Track Record: The Aviation Environment Federation has received funding consistently over multiple years, suggesting the Trust values proven expertise and reliable delivery.

Research Excellence: Commissioned research from respected organizations like New Economics Foundation and Element Energy demonstrates preference for credible, evidence-based work.

Strategic Alignment: All funded work directly addresses:

• Aircraft noise impacts on communities
• Climate change from aviation
• Airport expansion opposition
• Policy advocacy for sustainable aviation

Collaborative Approach: Projects co-sponsored with HACAN and support for networks like No Airport Expansion suggest value placed on coalition-building and collective impact.

Policy Impact Focus: Research launched in Parliament (2016 health and aircraft noise study) shows preference for work that influences decision-makers.

Economic Analysis: Commissioning NEF study on night flights economic claims demonstrates appreciation for rigorous economic evidence to counter industry arguments.

Community Voice: Support for organizations that amplify community concerns about aviation impacts (HACAN, local campaign groups through No Airport Expansion network).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an open grant program - the Trust identifies and approaches organizations rather than accepting applications from the public
• Primary relationship is with AEF - the Aviation Environment Federation receives the vast majority of Trust funding and appears to be the main operational vehicle
• Trust acts as a funding conduit - receives restricted grants from larger trusts and channels them to specific projects, suggesting limited independent grant-making capacity
• Focus is highly specialized - aviation environmental impacts, particularly noise and climate, with emphasis on UK policy influence
• Research must be policy-relevant - evidence of impact on aviation policy decisions is clearly valued
• Community connections matter - work that links research to affected communities (through HACAN and similar groups) is prioritized
• Not a first-funder - organizations should have established credibility in aviation environmental work before potential Trust engagement

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund
• Henry and Rebecca Tinsley Charitable Trust
• THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE ALA GREEN CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Jephcott Charitable Trust
• The Michael Marks Charitable Trust
• THE UNDERWOOD TRUST
• OGLESBY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Aurora Trust
• Newby Trust Limited

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - Aviation Environment Trust (Charity 276987)
• https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/276987
• Annual accounts for year ending 31 March 2023

• Aviation Environment Trust website
• https://www.aet.org.uk/
• About page: https://www.aet.org.uk/about/
• Current research: https://www.aet.org.uk/our-work/
• Completed projects: https://www.aet.org.uk/our-work/completed-projects/

• Network for Social Change - Our Impact page
• https://www.thenetworkforsocialchange.org.uk/our-impact/
• Details of funding to AET for aviation demand management work

• Aviation Environment Federation website
• https://www.aef.org.uk/
• Primary beneficiary of AET grants

• No Airport Expansion network
• https://www.noairportexpansion.org/
• Lists AET as a funder