Commission for Dark Skies

The Commission for Dark Skies (CfDS) (formerly the Campaign for Dark Skies; the name was changed on March 29, 2015) is the United Kingdom's largest anti-light-pollution campaign group forming part of the international dark-sky movement.

Commission for Dark Skies logo

It is run by the British Astronomical Association^[1] (BAA) and affiliated with the International Dark-Sky Association^[2] (IDA), and composed of a network of local officers (and other members) who try to improve lighting in their areas and advise local people.

The campaign was founded in 1989 by amateur astronomers as a sub-section of the BAA specialising in combatting skyglow.^[3] It is now open to non-members of the BAA, includes lighting engineers and environmentalists, and campaigns on the wider effects of light pollution.

In April 2023, the founder and coordinator of CfDS, Robert Mizon MBE died. Following a period of mourning and readjustment, the Commission was relaunched in November 2024 with new officers and committee members, tasked to reinvigorate the campaign to reduce light pollution and preserve and protect the UK's dark skies.

Legislation

CfDS's work with the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on legislating against light pollution has resulted in the government including provisions in their Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill.^[4][5]

Dark sky park, island and reserve

Members of the CfDS have been involved in the following International Dark-Sky Association designations:

• Galloway Forest Park – Dark Sky Park (2009)^[6]
• Sark – IDA's first international dark-sky island (Silver tier) (2011)^[7][8]
• Exmoor – Dark Sky Reserve (2011)^[9]
• Elan Valley Estate (mid-Wales) Dark Sky Park (2015)
• Tomintoul and Glenlivet-Cairngorms Dark Sky Park (2018)

Publications

In 2009, the CfDS published its handbook Blinded by the Light?.^[10]

Conferences

• CfDS 2006: Dark-Skies Symposium, Portsmouth, UK, September 15–16, 2006.
• Exterior lighting, statutory nuisance and light pollution, De Montfort University, April, 2006.
• Planning, Exterior Lighting and the Environment, De Montfort University, 20 April 2012.