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warning Britain is “not yet adapted” to current weather extremes, “let alone” those to come. Baroness Brown, chair of the


adaptation committee, wrote to Department for Environment minister Emma Hardy whose responsibilities include net zero, climate change and adaptation, saying: “Adaptation is not keeping up with the increase in climate risk.” She urged the government


to prepare “at a minimum for the weather extremes if global warming levels reach 2C above pre-industrial levels by 2050”. In April, the committee


declared current preparations “too slow, stalled or heading in the wrong direction”. A report by UK sustainability


consultancy Leafr this week suggested most companies in Europe won’t hit their sustainability targets. Based on a survey of 450 sustainability leads across UK and EU businesses, the True State of Sustainability 2025 report found only 11% confident their organisation is on track – down from 24% a year ago. Three out of four (76%)


reported their team is inadequately resourced, two in three (67%) said their team was the same or smaller than last year, 62% cited budget constraints as a barrier, and 42% flagged lack of engagement at the top of their company, double the rate in 2024. Leafr said the findings “reflect


pressures inside the companies responsible for the majority of corporate emissions”. The World Meteorological


Organization has previously confirmed 2024 saw a record rise


of CO2 in the atmosphere. QTo read the Leafr report in full, visit: leafr.com/the-true-state-of- sustainability-report-2025


Government seeks to hasten Heathrow plans


Ian Taylor


The government sought to speed up development of a third runway at Heathrow last week with transport secretary Heidi Alexander announcing a “swift and robust review” of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) “to deliver Heathrow expansion”. Alexander claimed the process


would “be three years faster” as a result, telling MPs a draft ANPS setting out the case for expansion would be ready for consultation next summer and restating the government’s ambition to see “flights take off from a new runway by 2035”. However, it is unusual for a


consultation to be announced six months in advance so the timing appears geared to the Budget on November 26, with the government keen for the Office for Budget Responsibility to factor the economic impact of Heathrow expansion into its GDP forecasts for the Budget.


Eco committee highlights limits of CO2 strategy


The Environmental Audit Committee warned the government it is relying on measures to decarbonise flying – sustainable aviation fuel, improved efficiency and carbon offsets – which have limits that are “not factored in”. It pointed out the government


also continues to ignore non-CO2 impacts such as condensation trails


46 30 OCTOBER 2025 Development of a third runway


will likely move at its own pace – dependent on legal challenges and a deal on funding between airlines, Heathrow investors and the CAA. The carriers will not support expansion if it requires a hefty levy on fares, but Heathrow’s investors will not sanction it unless it does. Alexander confirmed the


government will decide which of two runway schemes – Heathrow’s or property and construction group Arora’s – to proceed with by the end of November. It would be a surprise if it jettisoned Heathrow’s.


(contrails) which could double the impact on global warming. The committee noted aviation


is projected to become the UK’s largest contributor to climate change by 2040 before ministers committed to expansion at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City and pointed out: “There is a significant divide as to the necessity and level of support for airport expansion and considerable disagreement over the estimated costs and benefits.” Its report concluded: “The


government’s Jet Zero Strategy . . . requires significant carbon savings


Non-CO2


contrails are believed to contribute to warming


from the rollout of technology that has yet to be seen on a commercial scale.” The committee also concluded: “The aviation sector does not fully pay for its carbon emissions [which] makes aviation artificially cheap. The government should ensure the aviation sector pays its fair share.”


travelweekly.co.uk Heathrow Any legal challenge could be


bolstered by the warning from a cross-party group of MPs last week that the UK’s net zero target is in “serious jeopardy” from airport expansion. The Environmental Audit


Committee accused the government of being unable to provide “any evidence” for its assertion that expanding airports will bring economic growth. However, Heathrow chief


financial officer Sally Ding urged ministers “to move forward” on expansion as she reported record passenger numbers of 63.3 million for the nine months to September, saying: “We’re working to unlock a third runway which can be


operational within a decade.” Q Gatwick warned its plan to bring a second runway into use could be threatened by a hike in business rates, saying this would have “consequences” for investors “before we commit ourselves” to expansion.


PICTURES: Shutterstock/J Frenken, Maks_Mikh


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