Environmental
Strategy
and Guidelines

The concentration of air traffic at BER has led to a considerable reduction in aircraft noise for the population in Berlin and Brandenburg. However, residents in the vicinity of BER are also newly affected by aircraft noise. We take these pressures very seriously. Comprehensive information on the new flight paths, flyover heights, and an operating direction forecast has therefore been available to all those affected since 2013. Additional stationary measuring points document the noise situation before and after the opening of BER. By taking mobile measurements along the flight paths, we also ensure that the noise development before and after opening is made transparent at locations further away from the airport. Our neighbours can inform us online about particularly disturbing events so that we can work together with air traffic control and the airlines to counteract unnecessary noise developments. The noise-related charges to be paid by the airlines are to be levied individually for each aircraft in 2021 in order to create a greater incentive for the airlines to take off and land with as little noise as possible. With the noise protection programme, we pursue the goal of finding optimal individual solutions with the citizens in order to minimise noise in the living area.

The combined heat and power plants built near the BER terminal generate heat, cold, and electricity and achieve excellent efficiency. Around half of the electricity required at the Schönefeld site is generated here. The other half comes exclusively from renewable sources. Overall, there is still considerable potential to reduce energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions through improvements in operational management and the modernisation of infrastructure.

The airport company is committed to transparency when it comes to air quality. In a voluntary environmental investigation programme, we analyse and document air pollutants and the environmental impact of air traffic in the vicinity of BER Airport with the help of honey and biomonitoring. The data from the air quality measuring station at the airport are published on line daily. FBB documents all activities, data, and results annually in a comprehensive air quality report.

The environmental and energy management system of the FBB controls numerous operational processes at the airport that have an impact on the environment and climate. The energy management system of FBB has been certified in accordance with ISO 50001 since 2016; the environmental management system is currently not certified.

We continually strive to improve. This works best with strong and qualified partners. For this reason, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH is a member of the Bundesdeutscher Arbeitskreis für Umweltbewusstes Management e. V. (B.A.U.M.), the largest environmental initiative of the economy in Europe with over 500 members. As a member of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), FBB receives important impetus with regard to the construction and certification of environmentally friendly, economically efficient, and user-friendly buildings and neighbourhoods.