There is no credible way currently to accommodate Heathrow expansion within our climate goals, says the Climate Change Committee 

16th September, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tim Johnson tim@aef.org.uk, Celeste Hicks celeste@aef.org.uk

Today, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has issued their advice to the government on the proposed Heathrow Airport expansion. AEF supports the CCC’s common sense approach of requiring the aviation industry to demonstrate its ability to lower emissions before any expansion is granted. 

Tim Johnson, AEF’s Director said:

The CCC’s message to Government couldn’t be clearer, there is simply no credible way to accommodate Heathrow expansion under current policies which have left a significant gap in aviation’s decarbonisation strategy. You can’t disguise the reality that the sector is failing to make a significant dent in its emissions which are estimated to be higher in 2050 than they are today, even without a third runway. 

Timing is really important here – the DfT’s modelling suggested that there won’t be a sudden jump in emissions from Heathrow’s third runway because terminal development would be slow, conveniently delaying the biggest emissions impacts until after 2050. But with nothing in the draft HENPS to ensure that promoters adhere to this timetable, it seems a fantasy to think that the airport will build a third runway and not seek to use it fully for 20 years. 

ENDS

Notes to editor:

[1] The Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) campaigns on aviation’s impacts for people and the environment, including noise, air pollution and climate change. We represent impacted community groups throughout the UK, and aim to secure effective environmental regulation of the aviation industry at national and international levels.

Image credit: Natalya Letunova, Unsplash