Reducing our environmental impact and giving back to our community

At NATS we strive to be environmentally efficient in our operational and corporate work and support the community through charity and voluntary work.

While most of our ground-based CO₂ emissions relate to the fuel and energy used in operating our air traffic control facilities, we continue to work on reducing our impact on the environment as a whole – for example in encouraging our staff to car-share and cycle to work.

Since the launch of our Cycle to Work scheme in 2009, 1,700 bike certificates have been issued, allowing our staff to buy bicycles and safety equipment. Those bikes were put to good use at our latest Cycle to Work Day, clocking up 1,150 miles on the day, and saving around half a tonne of CO₂.

For us it’s really important we do what we can to encourage this in the community, which is why we recently established a new initiative for children to have cycling proficiency lessons at their schools

Schools located near our centres in Swanwick, Hampshire and Prestwick, Ayrshire can now bid for funding by contacting Cara Bentley on [email protected].

We’ve outlined a few of the other charity and community activities our employees have been doing in the past year.

Five Ferries Challenge

NATS staff at Glasgow Airport completed the ‘Five Ferries Challenge’ cycling 84 miles across Scottish islands via five ferries and raising £4,500 funds for the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow. The centre has been used by staff at Glasgow over the years.

Ayrshire Hospice fundraisers

Our colleagues at Prestwick smashed their original aim of raising of £18,500 for Ayrshire Hospice – enough to run the hospice for one day – by raising more than £38,000.  Various fundraising activities took place including an auction, a weight loss challenge and even a banger rally.

And we’re delighted to say that we’ve just been shortlisted for an award from the Institute of Fundraising Scotland for a Best Partnership Award with the finals to be held on 6 October.

Canterbury Oast Trust

A hardworking team from our head office in Hampshire cleaned more than 110 cars in two days raising £1,000 for Canterbury Oast Trust, which provides life-long care for people with learning disabilities.

Meanwhile, Simulation Service Standards Manager Coral Boyne will be running the New York Marathon to raise money for the charity.

Wicor Primary School honeybees

Allan Warren, Senior Sourcing Manager in Supply Chain, has been working with teachers at Wicor Primary School in Fareham where they have set up an apiary to house several colonies of honey bees. Together they have been identifying activities and methods that meet specific learning outcomes in the syllabus. NATS’ Footprint Fund has supported this by purchasing protective clothing for the children, which will mean more activities can be done inside the apiary as they can get closer and be more interactive.

Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve

More than 50 managers at NATS took part in conservation volunteering supporting NATS’ Biodiversity Benchmark certification at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve, next to our air traffic control centre in Swanwick. The volunteers helped to clear logs that had been cut to support the regeneration of wood pasture, helping to create historic habitat from the ancient Forest of Bere.

Supporting Aerobility

Following our CEO’s charity of the year fundraiser in 2011/12, NATS continue to provide support to Aerobility. We continue to look for opportunities to support the aims of the charity – through fundraising, volunteering, sponsorship, or providing expertise and support. There are many exciting plans on the horizon, including that NATS recently established a workplace choir that will perform at the Aviator’s Ball in November. More information about our work with Aerobility is on our timeline.

Allan Warren is voluntarily working with teachers and children to support their studies of bees

Managers at NATS volunteered in conservation work at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve

NATS staff at Glasgow Airport cycled the Five Ferries challenge to raise funds for the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre

NATS staff cleaned cars for the Canterbury Oast Trust

Launch of NATS cycling proficiency fund for school children