Fri, 19 Sep 2025

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 Ministers yet to seek climate advice on Heathrow expansion

The government faces calls to give the Climate Change Committee a bigger role in advising on airport expansion.

* The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has not been formally asked to assess the impact of expanding Heathrow airport on carbon emissions targets.
* The government claims it will engage with the CCC during the assessment process, but is under no legal duty to follow its advice.
* Lord Deben, a former CCC chairman, says there is "limited space for aviation growth" without emissions reductions and that expansion at Heathrow would come at the expense of other airports in Britain.
* Greenpeace UK has expressed concerns about the lack of involvement from the CCC in assessing the risks and costs of airport expansion.
* The government's plan to expand Heathrow is expected to face resistance and legal challenges due to its environmental impact.
* The Climate Change Committee has not been asked to provide advice on any future expansion of Gatwick Airport, despite a proposed second runway.
* The government wants to review planning guidelines for major airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick.
  >>