The UK’s commitment to achieve “net zero” aviation emissions by 2050 is being put in “serious jeopardy” by the government’s plans to allow airport expansion, according to a parliamentary report.
The report, published by MPs on the House of Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee, said plans to expand London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports created “a risky approach” to meeting the country’s carbon reduction commitments - particularly with new technologies, such as alternative aviation fuels, yet to be produced at a “commercial scale”.
The committee is calling for new safeguards to ensure that airport expansion does not push the UK over its carbon budget targets.
The government has already given permission for Gatwick to operate a second runway while Heathrow has submitted a £49 billion expansion plan, including the building of a third runway. London Luton Airport has also had an expansion plan approved.
MPs are urging the government to declare how it is going to meet existing climate, environment and biodiversity targets from an expanding aviation sector before any major airport expansion projects are allowed to go ahead.
The committee also said in its report that the aviation sector “does not fully pay” for its carbon emissions, which was making it “artificially cheap” compared with other industries.
“The government should ensure that the aviation sector pays its fair share towards mitigating its carbon emissions and the benefits it receives in comparison to other sectors,” recommends the report. “Aviation should be included in emissions trading schemes (ETS) and the government should include the use of sustainable aviation fuels within the ETS.”
The report added the government has yet to demonstrate that the economic growth from airport expansion “provides enough benefit to outweigh the negative climate and environmental impacts it will lead to”.
The Department for Transport said in a statement: “The transport secretary [Heidi Alexander] has launched the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) – a significant step in advancing plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, which will drive economic growth and create jobs.
“We have been clear that airport expansion will only go ahead if it aligns with our legal obligations on climate change, including net zero, and we will be seeking advice from the independent Climate Change Committee to inform the ANPS review.”
Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, said achieving the 2050 net zero target was "essential for all aviation development”.
“While it is crucial to make increasing air travel more sustainable, particularly as flying remains a preferred option for UK domestic travel, we must also recognise the significant economic contribution aviation provides,” he added.
"Business travellers - often overlooked in travel impact discussions - are important drivers of economic activity. Increasing flight availability can have a direct positive effect on the UK economy, but this must work alongside robust and accelerated decarbonisation measures to ensure growth aligns with net zero objectives.”