Centre for Aviation, Transport and Environment

Manchester Metropolitan University's Centre for Aviation, Transport and the Environment (CATE) is an international research centre based at the Dalton Research Institute specialising in the environmental impacts of the aviation industry.

Centre for Aviation, Transport and the Environment
FocusThe Environmental Impacts of Aviation Industry
DirectorProf David Lee
Faculty of Science and Engineering
LocationJohn Dalton Building
Manchester Metropolitan University
Foundation Year1984
www.cate.mmu.ac.uk

Area of research

CATE was established to address the challenges of sustainable aviation development and the environmental capacity of the air transport system though research and knowledge transfer. CATE's researchers work closely with regulatory bodies, which include the International Civil Aviation Organization, the European Commission, the UK Government and the US FAA;aviation sectors such as the airports, airlines and air traffic management organisations; aerospace and aircraft engine manufacturers; academics, research laboratories and NGOs.

CATE's research underpins policy formulation and supports technological development in helping the stakeholders minimise the environmental impacts of aviation to achieve long-term sustainable growth.

Main areas of expertise

Sustainability and the air transport industry

This area of work involves the application of sustainability theory to the air transport industry, the role of aviation in supporting social and economic development, the associated environmental impacts, the need to compensate for growth through the development of new infrastructure, technologies, operations and business models.

Global climate change

The research investigates the impact of airplane emissions upon the climate. Led by Professor David Lee, this research group uses a range of modelling tools to calculate global aviation emissions and scenarios, contrail coverage and simplified climate response models of aviation-specific effects. With the evidence stemming from this research, the group provides advice and support on aviation related climate change issues for UK Government Departments and to fora such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The importance of CATE's work in this field is reflected by the contribution of four CATE researchers to the IPCC's seminal 1999 report Aviation and the Global Atmosphere. The IPCC was jointly awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, and the contribution to the IPCC of many scientists was acknowledged.

Noise and community impacts

Led by Professor Callum Thomas and Dr Paul Hooper, this research group addresses the environmental and community impacts of airports and airline operations within the vicinity of airports. The research programme focuses on issues of regulatory limits, measurement, management and impact of noise on local residents as well as the processes of stakeholder engagement and understanding community attitudes to airport growth. The UK Governments's night flying policy was underpinned by research carried out by CATE staff (Dr. Ken Hume). Manchester Airport's noise control programme and community relations programmes were developed with CATE researchers. More recently, CATE has been commissioned by the NI Government to produce a 'good practice guide' on the measurement and management or aircraft noise for Northern Ireland Airports.

Local air quality

This group focuses on the way airports and airlines deal with air quality issues. CATE provides expertise in air quality modelling and monitoring and provide advice on how emissions can be managed and reduced. The research group, led by Professor David Raper investigates the fundamental processes that control dispersion of pollutants around airports. This group researches the impact of wing tip induced vortices on dispersion of aircraft engine exhaust fumes and led one of three Air Quality Panels for Department for Transport while contributing to another, to review the impact of aircraft emissions on air quality around Heathrow Airport.

List of organizations CATE has worked with

Global
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
  • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
  • The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  • Airport Council International World Body (ACI)
  • The International Air Transport Association (IATA)
  • The International Commission on the Biologocial Effects of Noise (ICBEN)
  • The World Economic Forum (WEF)
  • The US FAA

European
  • The European Commission (EC)
  • Noise Pollution Health Effects Reduction (NOPHER)
  • Airports Council International Europe (ACI-EUROPE)

National
  • Future of Aviation Policy Advisory Group (DfT)
  • Aerospace Innovation Growth Team (DTI)
  • Greener By Design (DfT/DTI)
  • Commercial Aviation Sustainability Strategy (DTI)

Research partners

Research laboratories

Academia

Airports

Airlines

Air Traffic Management

Manufacturers

UK Government

References
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