Archived press release

Heathrow expansion plans must be scrapped

21 November 2007

The Government must abandon airport expansion plans - including a third runway at Heathrow airport - if it is serious about tackling climate change, Friends of the Earth said today. A public consultation into Government proposals to build a third runway at Heathrow is expected to begin later today (Thursday 22 November). Earlier this week Gordon Brown pledged to make the UK a world leader in developing a low carbon economy [1].

Friends of the Earth's aviation campaigner Richard Dyer, said:

"Aviation is already the fastest growing source of UK carbon dioxide emissions. Building a third runway at Heathrow will inevitably lead to even more flights and more pollution. Unless we curb the growth in flights, our targets for combating global warming are unlikely to be met. If Gordon Brown is serious about significantly cutting this country's carbon footprint he must shelve his government's aviation expansion plans."

"The Government must also take other steps to tackle the growing impact from aviation. It must include Britain's share of international aviation and shipping emissions in its new climate change bill, introduce measures to make the cost of flying reflect the environmental damage it causes and invest in alternatives to short-haul flights, such as high-speed rail."

Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide in the UK:

• Between 2004 and 2005, CO2 emissions from domestic aviation increased by 7.1 per cent, while international aviation emissions increased by 5.7 per cent.

• Aviation emissions are estimated to have between two and four times the climate change impact of carbon emissions alone due to complex chemical reactions at altitude.

• There is no prospect of a significant technological breakthrough that will reduce aircraft emissions. Gradual improvements might manage a 1.2 per cent annual reduction in emissions. But this is inadequate to counter the current growth in passengers of 6.4 per cent per year.

• Oxford University recently concluded that it will be impossible to meet the UK`s target for a 60 per cent carbon reduction by 2050 without curbing aviation growth.

Following The Big Ask climate campaign (www.thebigask.com), led by Friends of the Earth, the Government has agreed to introduce a new law to tackle climate change. This will be the first national legislation anywhere in the world to set legally-binding targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions. Friends of the Earth says it must be strengthened to ensure a cut of at least 80 per cent in emissions by 2050, include pollution from Britain's share of international aviation and shipping, and set annual milestones to ensure that we stay on track. The bill is due to be discussed in Parliament next week and could be law within six months.

Notes

Brown's green speech must be followed by urgent action

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust