The Climate Change Committee’s 2021 progress report to parliament, published today, is critical of delays to key Government plans and strategies, including the Net Zero Aviation Strategy. The Committee reiterated its advice to the Government that “there should be no net expansion of UK airport capacity.” The Climate Change Committee (CCC) is made up of leading climate scientists from around the country and advises the Government on how to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The report warns that “demand [for flying] needs to be managed and several policies (eg the proposed Air Passenger Duty reductions and airport expansion) are encouraging growth in the sector." The climate scientists also say that the Government's overdue Net Zero Aviation Strategy should include "an assessment of the UK’s airport capacity strategy and a mechanism for aviation demand management should be part of the aviation strategy."
Chris Foren, chair of GALBA, said: “The CCC has been absolutely clear - we must stop expanding airports to protect our climate. The aviation industry has made some hollow promises about how flying will ‘go green’. But the independent experts on the CCC say we simply have to stop allowing demand for aviation to grow. Of course, new technology and alternative fuels will have a role to play. But they don’t exist - and won’t exist - at a commercial level for decades. We don’t have the luxury of time. We have to cut greenhouse gas emissions NOW. The good news is we know how to do this and we know that millions of good jobs can be created by making the transition to a zero carbon economy. So let’s do it!”
Additional notes:
1) Climate Change Committee progress report to parliament: you can read more about the report here.
2) Climate science and LBA expansion: the Leeds Climate Commission and experts in climate science from the University of Leeds have calculated that LBA’s proposals mean greenhouse gas emissions from the airport would exceed the amount allowed for the whole of Leeds, as set out in the Leeds Carbon Reduction Roadmap, from 2026 onwards. See the report here.
3) UK’s new emissions reduction target includes aviation: the government’s announcement can be found here.
4) Green New Deal UK sustainable jobs: research published in April assessed the potential for investment in ‘green’ jobs. It found that 11,600 could be created in Leeds and 7,300 in Bradford. More detailed information is available here.
5) UK-wide airport expansion moratorium call: GALBA has joined with 15 other local and national airport campaigns to call for an immediate halt to all airport expansion plans. Further details and a copy of the letter are available here.
6) Public inquiry decision postponed: on 6 April, Secretary of State Robert Jenrick postponed his decision on whether to call in LBA’s application for a public inquiry. This means that no changes can be made to flying hours at LBA until a final decision is made.