Expansion at Heathrow is one step closer after the government announced a review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) last week
Friends of the Earth has called for a tighter process to consider the viability of a third runway at Heathrow airport, after the government announced plans to review the current framework under which any expansion would be considered.
The proposed Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) review would include four key tests on climate change, air quality, noise and economic growth to ensure any third runway proposals would meet new climate and environmental obligations.
In a statement, Friends of the Earth said: “The current climate and air quality tests are feeble and outdated and must be strengthened in this forthcoming review. They will be the benchmark against which a third runway at Heathrow is considered.”
“Ahead of a huge decision about UK aviation expansion at Heathrow, a review of the Airports National Policy Statement is absolutely necessary,” said Tony Bosworth, climate campaigner and member of Friends of the Earth. “Before any expansion is even considered, ministers must be sure that sustainable aviation fuel can be delivered at the scale needed.”
Following the launch of the review, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the Government will be seeking formal advice from the Climate Change Committee to ensure consistency with net zero commitments. A bill to make provision about sustainable aviation fuel, is currently at its second reading in the House of Lords.
The government has said Heathrow expansion will support economic growth and international investment.
Alexander said: “Today is a critical building block which will advance plans for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow, meaning people can start to experience the full benefits sooner.”
The New Economics Foundation (NEF), a British think tank, found that the expansion of Heathrow, Luton, and Gatwick airports would collectively generate around 65 million tonnes of carbon equivalent emissions within five years of operation.
Following a meeting to assess the environmental impacts of this expansion at Heathrow, the London Assembly Environment Committee will assess how air quality will be effected by the dramatic increase in flights per year. The number of flights is set to increase from 480,000 to 756,000 flights per year. Other environmental factors are also expected to be discussed throughout this assessment.
