BUSINESS NEWS


Heathrow’s Terminal 5: the Climate Change Committee argues ‘there should be no net airport expansion in the UK unless the carbon intensity of aviation is outperforming the government’s emissions reduction pathway’


CO2 committee calls for halt to airport expansion


Government advised to create ‘UK-wide capacity framework’. Ian Taylor reports Its report notes “continued airport


The UK is making slow progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and should halt airport expansion, the Climate Change Committee warned last week. The recommendation in the


committee’s 2023 report drew praise from environmental groups but criticism from industry bodies, with the Airport Operators Association insisting: “The aviation industry and UK government both have a plan for UK aviation to achieve net zero by 2050 while accommodating growth in air travel.”


80 6 JULY 2023 The report criticises the


government for an “over-reliance on technological solutions” and argues: “Recent experience has shown substantial changes to behaviours are possible. It is essential that policies to empower and support people to make low-carbon lifestyle choices are implemented now, especially on home energy use . . . and reducing air and car travel.” The committee makes 27 ‘priority


recommendations’, one of which is “No airport expansion without a UK-wide capacity management framework”.


expansion” and argues: “No airport expansions should proceed until a UK-wide capacity management framework is in place to assess annually and, if required, to control the CO2 emissions and non-CO2 effects [of air travel]. “A framework should be


operational by the end of 2024. After a framework is developed, there should be no net airport expansion unless the


Continued on page 78 travelweekly.co.uk


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