Sustainability

The Bray Air Display is one of Ireland’s largest free events, it attracts the largest single-family audience. It’s estimated that the event contributes €3.5 million to the local economy.

 

 

The festival makes a very significant, positive impact on the town of Bray, the surrounding region and wider Irish society from a social-cultural perspective.

 

It contributes substantially to increased visitor footfall to Bray and the surrounding areas during the summer months. It is a major attraction for both indigenous and international visitors.

 

In addition to being a fantastic free family event, the festival aims to inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts to pursue careers in one of Ireland’s leading industries.

 

Overall, the annual Bray Air Display has grown to be a major positive influence on the town and the surrounding area. The halo effect of the event has also nurtured other local activities, such as the ‘Summer in Bray’ events.

 

We’re playing our part in Ireland’s journey to combat climate change

 

The Bray Air Display has always been committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. The event organisers have taken significant steps to promote sustainability, and these efforts align with the Irish Government’s Climate Action Plans. Additionally, we are using Fáilte Ireland’s Climate Action Business Support Portal to help achieve the ambitious targets.

 

The road ahead is not easy, but the festival is committed to mitigating its environmental impact. Since 2019, it has been establishing baselines for our carbon emissions and is currently calculating the event’s carbon footprint for 2026.

 

Our six steps to successful climate action:

 

1. Measuring our impact: Utilising methodologies to measure and validate all emissions.
2. Decarbonisation: Establishing how we achieve science-based targets for reducing emissions and track reductions.
3. Roadmap: Develop a roadmap that establishes where carbon reductions can be made.
4. Making a commitment: Make a public declaration of commitment.
5. Collaboration: Develop and foster partnerships, share knowledge, and learn from others.
6. Financing: Investing in our green transition.

 

Our journey so far…

 

Greener tourism

 

With its award-winning reputation and world-class vision for the future, the Bray Air Display aims to lead the way in sustainable and eco-friendly tourism. Whilst it is undeniable that the event relies on aviation, environmental impact research published by the British Air Display Association (BADA) in June 2025 indicates that display aircraft contribute less than 1% of an airshow’s overall carbon footprint on average. Instead, the vast majority of emissions stem from visitor travel. Our charter, therefore, focuses on high-impact event logistics—such as working with our public transport partners to enhance transportation infrastructure and utilising local supply chains—to minimise our overall footprint whilst preserving the core spectacle of the aerial display.

 

Our Paperless Journey – E-Ticketing & Digital Souvenir Programme

 

As part of our commitment to reducing waste, our annual Official Souvenir Programme is no longer printed for mass distribution. Instead, it’s now available as a free digital download, allowing everyone to enjoy event highlights, schedules, and features without the environmental impact of printed copies.

 

We have also introduced a digital payment system for pre-booking car park spaces, removing the need for physical cash transactions. This approach is not only more convenient for visitors but also contributes to a more sustainable event.

 

Our QR code check-in procedure for official car parks eliminates the need for paper tickets and receipts, helping us move closer to a fully paperless experience. By reducing physical printing and paper waste, we are taking meaningful steps to lower our ecological footprint.

 

Leave No Trace

 

Another key aspect of the event’s environmental initiatives is its promotion of the “Leave No Trace” principles. These principles encourage all participants, including spectators, acts, and service providers, to leave the event site as they found it. This includes properly disposing of all waste, leaving no litter behind, and minimising any impact on the environment. As well as more bins distributed around the entire festival site, designated litter crews will be on hand to help with the clean-up effort.

 

It is not possible to ensure 100% recycling at the festival as a result of the significant volume of attendees and the contamination of waste.

 

Refill & water stations

 

The event also encourages spectators to bring reusable bottles and utilise the “Refill taps” on-site. By bringing their own bottles and refilling them at the Refill taps, spectators can help reduce the amount of plastic waste generated at the event.

 

Helping promote environmental awareness and encourage environmentally-friendly behaviour

 

In addition to these initiatives, the Bray Air Display uses its social media networks as well as its commentary on-site to promote environmental awareness and encourage environmentally-friendly behaviour. By leveraging the reach of social media, the event can spread its message to a broader audience and inspire more people to take action to protect the environment.

 

Collaborating with Climeworks

 

As a not-for-profit organisation, the Bray Air Display aims to demonstrate climate leadership by collaborating with Climeworks to support its scale-up and mitigate climate change.

 

About Climeworks

 

Climeworks‘ vision is to inspire 1 billion people to remove CO₂ from the air and is now the leader in technological carbon removal. They develop, build, and operate direct air capture (DAC) machines, which capture CO₂ directly from the air. Captured air carbon dioxide can be recycled and reused as a raw material or permanently removed from the air by safely storing it underground.

 

Read more about Climeworks at climeworks.com.

 

Bray Air Display Environmental Roadmap 2022 – 2030

 

Aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of the Bray Air Display, an action plan was developed in 2022 in collaboration with our partners to identify practical steps to achieve this goal. The plan is a dynamic document outlining the initial work and ongoing development to make the festival as eco-friendly as possible. As a living document, the action plan or roadmap will be regularly updated and reviewed to ensure its effectiveness throughout its lifetime.

 

Our principles include:

 

• Minimise Emissions: We aim to minimise emissions from aircraft by using the most fuel-efficient aircraft available and limiting the number of aircraft participating in the show.
• Sustainable Transportation: Encouraging attendees to use sustainable options, such as public transit, walking, biking, or car-sharing.
• Energy Efficiency: Continue to enhance our smart power plan.
• Recycle Reuse: The use of generic branding and signage which can be used for multiple years.
• Responsible Procurement: Thinking green with our suppliers and contractors.
• Reduce Waste: Avoiding single-use plastics.
• Environmental Education: Educate spectators on environmental sustainability and promote ways to reduce their impact on the environment through a ‘Leave no Trace’ social media campaign.
• Work with the Climate Action Team at Wicklow County Council: Play our part in helping deliver on Ireland’s Climate Action ambitions.

 

These principles represent our commitment to running the festival in a way that is not only entertaining but also environmentally responsible and sustainable.

 

Overall, the Bray Air Display has made significant strides in minimising its environmental impact since 2005. Through its various initiatives, the event promotes sustainable behaviour and encourages spectators to be mindful of their environmental impact. As one of Ireland’s largest free events, the Bray Air Display sets an excellent example for others and shows that it is possible to hold a successful event while still prioritising environmental sustainability.

 

Climate Pledge

 

It is incumbent upon all of us to contribute to efforts to combat climate change and protect our future, as well as that of the generations to come. So make a pledge, play your part, and help change Ireland for the better.