(qlmbusinessnews.com . Fri 24th Oct, 2025) London, UK —
Heathrow and Gatwick Expansion Plans Under Fire for Jeopardizing Climate Goals
MPs Warn Planned Airport Expansions Could Jeopardise UK's Net Zero Targets
A parliamentary report has raised concerns that the UK government's plans for major airport expansions could threaten its own climate change goals. The Environmental Audit Committee, consisting of members from various political parties, has highlighted the lack of evidence from the government, demonstrating that the economic benefits of airport expansions would outweigh their detrimental environmental impact.
The expansions in question include the controversial proposals for a third runway at London Heathrow and a second runway at Gatwick Airport. Both projects, along with plans for Luton Airport's expansion, could lead to hundreds of thousands more flights annually, casting doubt on the UK's commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions.
The Department for Transport has responded by stating that any expansion will proceed only if it complies with the nation's legal climate commitments. This stance comes as ministers are poised to announce their decision on the competing proposals for Heathrow's expansion, a decision that could potentially add 276,000 flights per year.
Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, Toby Perkin, criticizes the reliance on unproven technological solutions like sustainable aviation fuel, which are not yet utilised on a commercial scale. The committee suggests that without a robust strategy for decarbonising aviation, the UK's net zero targets could be out of reach.
Despite the potential for economic growth, the report criticises the government for not substantiating these claims with evidence. The UK's strict climate targets, aimed at limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C by 2050, are at stake, with ambitious carbon budgets established to contribute to this global effort.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has reassured Parliament that Heathrow's expansion would need to align with environmental and climate commitments. However, this has not quelled criticisms, with Dr Alex Chapman from the New Economics Foundation dismissing the government's stance on airport expansion as unsupported by evidence, particularly in light of changing travel patterns and the economic impact on domestic spending.
This development sparks a wider debate on balancing economic expansion with environmental responsibilities, as the UK aims to lead by example in the fight against climate change.
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