Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Acknowledged
Airport expansion risks climate targets and lacks demonstrated economic benefits outweighing environmental harm.
Conclusion
Whilst it may be possible for the Government to deliver airport expansion alongside its climate and environment targets, we are concerned that the proposed environmental impact from airport expansion will make such targets significantly more difficult to achieve and at much greater effort and cost. Furthermore, the Government has not demonstrated that the economic growth from airport expansion provides enough benefit to outweigh the negative climate and environmental impacts it will lead to. (Conclusion, Paragraph 114)
Government Response Summary
The government reaffirmed its commitment to net zero, stating that airport expansion is factored into carbon planning and that the ANPS review will consider climate, air quality, and noise, alongside reviewing and updating various environmental assessments. It also committed to engaging the Climate Change Committee on aviation expansion's consistency with the net zero framework.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government’s legal commitment to net zero by 2050 is non-negotiable. Airport expansion, including a third runway at Heathrow, has always been factored into carbon budget planning, and the refreshed Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, published on 29 October, sets out how the Government will meet carbon budgets 4–6 while driving growth. The Government will legislate for the Carbon Budget 7 target by June 2026. As part of the ANPS review, DfT is considering how the Government’s four tests for Heathrow expansion should be set, including on climate, air quality and noise. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution. Alongside these areas, the Government are reviewing other environmental policies in the designated ANPS, including biodiversity and ecological conservation and climate change adaptation. The review is considering changes in legislation, policy and data since the ANPS was designated in 2018. The Government is also reviewing, and updating as necessary, the existing Appraisal of Sustainability, Habitats Regulations Assessment, Health Impact Analysis and Equalities Impact Analysis in line with any amendments made to the ANPS. Any amendments to the ANPS and associated assessments will be subject to consultation in summer 2026 and will be subject to the parliamentary scrutiny requirements set out under the Planning Act 2008. The Government has also committed to engaging the Climate Change Committee on how aviation expansion can be made consistent with our net zero framework as part of the ANPS review, and on 25 November, the Secretary of State for Transport wrote to the Chair of the Committee to set out how she would like to do this. This letter has been published on GOV.UK.