The recent raft of airport expansion plans is inconsistent with the UK’s climate change goals and puts the delivery of net zero carbon in “serious jeopardy”, MPs on the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee have said.
After coming into office last year, Labour approved a raft of airport projects – most prominently the controversial third runway at Heathrow Airport.
Since then, Gatwick airport has also been given permission to build a second, £2.2bn runway, which will increase its flight capacity by around 100,000 a year, and Stansted airport was given the green light for a £1.1bn expansion of its terminal.
The committee’s inquiry found that government policies are insufficient to deliver a reduction in carbon emissions from the aviation sector in line with carbon budgets. A further increase in demand will put the government’s delivery of net zero in serious jeopardy, it said.
“Whilst it may be possible for the government to deliver airport expansion alongside its climate and environment...