How will airport expansion impact UK’s climate goals? New inquiry takes off
On Wednesday 14 March, the Environmental Audit Committee holds the first session of its new inquiry into airport expansion and its impact on the UK’s climate and nature targets.
Government Ministers have signalled their support for expansion of the UK’s airports, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently approving plans at Luton. MPs are investigating how expansion could be achieved in line with the Government’s climate goals and Carbon Budgets.
In 2023, aviation represented 8% of the UK’s emissions, making it the country’s sixth highest emitting sector, and aviation emissions are considered one of the hardest to abate. Under its ‘Balanced Net Zero Pathway’, the Climate Change Committee assumes that any airport expansion will be balanced out by reducing capacity elsewhere in the UK, so that there is no net increase in UK airport capacity.
Meeting details
MPs are likely to ask whether airport expansion is likely to lead to a significant increase in emissions, or whether demand management policies – those designed to directly reduce air travel, such as carbon pricing or a frequent flyer levy – is essential to reduce future emissions. They are likely to consider how new technologies such as sustainable aviation fuel can help to reduce emissions from air travel, and whether these will have enough of an impact.
MPs will also consider the wider consequences of proposed expansions on local air quality and noise pollution, especially around London airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton.