Heathrow airport expansion incompatible with UK climate goals, say advisers

The UK's Climate Change Committee has warned that expanding London's Heathrow Airport cannot coexist with the country's climate goals unless the aviation sector takes full responsibility for its emissions, The Climate Change Committee (CCC) concluded in new advice published on Wednesday. The Labour government previously approved a third runway at Heathrow last year, claiming it would boost economic growth.

The CCC stated there is no viable path for Heathrow to expand while the UK remains on track to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Climate change committee chair Nigel Topping emphasized that the government must mandate the aviation industry to clean up its emissions by 2050, either through increased use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or engineered carbon-removal credits.

While airlines committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, primarily through the gradual adoption of SAF, SAF currently makes up less than 1% of global aviation fuel usage and is significantly more expensive than conventional jet fuel. The transport department acknowledged it would review the CCC's recommendations, stating that the government is investing in SAF production.

However, the committee urged the government to develop a 25-year strategy for net-zero aviation, incorporate the full cost of decarbonisation for airlines, and devise contingency plans in case key technologies fail to scale up as anticipated. A Heathrow spokesperson maintained that the expansion must simultaneously foster economic growth and meet net-zero objectives, pledging to collaborate with the government to accelerate clean aviation technologies.