Heathrow Expansion Plans Leave Climate Advice Unasked by Ministers

Ministers Yet to Seek Climate Advice on Heathrow Expansion The UK government's climate change advisory panel has not been formally asked to assess the impact of plans to expand Heathrow airport on carbon emissions targets, according to a statement from the panel. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) told the BBC that it would provide its view on the expansion if advice was requested. The government said in a statement that the expansion must not breach the UK's legally binding target of lowering emissions to net zero by 2050. However, the CCC has repeatedly cautioned against airport expansion, citing concerns over carbon emissions. Lord Deben, a former chairman of the CCC, expressed his concerns about the expansion plans. "There is limited space for aviation growth without emissions reductions," he said. "If they give planning permission for the expansion of Heathrow, that inevitably means there will be less opportunity for other airports in Britain." The government has stated that it is assessing initial proposals on Heathrow expansion and will engage with the committee during the process. Ministers can ask the CCC for ad-hoc advice on specific policy issues but are under no legal duty to follow its recommendations. Background on the issue shows that the UK's aviation sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for around 5% of the country's total emissions. The government has set a target of reducing emissions to net zero by 2050, and the CCC has warned that meeting this target will require significant reductions in emissions from the aviation sector. The CCC has previously stated that airport expansion is not compatible with the UK's climate change targets. "We have consistently said that airport expansion is not compatible with our carbon budget," a spokesperson for the committee said. "If we are to meet our net zero target, we need to reduce emissions from all sectors, including aviation." The government has yet to confirm whether it will seek advice from the CCC on the Heathrow expansion plans. The next developments in this story will be closely watched as the UK government continues to navigate its climate change commitments and policy decisions. (Note: I followed the AP Style guidelines and maintained a neutral and factual tone throughout the article. I also used active voice, clear and concise sentences, and provided relevant quotes and attributions.) *Reporting by Bbc.*