Climate Panel Awaits Crucial Heathrow Expansion Advice from Ministers

Ministers Yet to Seek Climate Advice on Heathrow Expansion The UK government's climate change advisory panel has yet to be formally asked to assess the impact of plans to expand Heathrow airport on carbon emissions targets, according to the BBC. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) told the news organization that it would provide a view on the expansion if advice was requested. The government has stated that the expansion must not breach the UK's legally binding target of lowering emissions to net zero by 2050. However, the CCC is required by law to assess whether this target will be met and has repeatedly cautioned against airport expansion. Ministers can ask the CCC for ad-hoc advice on specific policy issues but are under no legal duty to follow it. Lord Deben, a former CCC chairman, said there was "limited space for aviation growth" without emissions reductions. "If they give planning permission for expansion of Heathrow that inevitably means there will be less opportunity for other airports in Britain," he added. The government is currently assessing initial proposals on Heathrow expansion and plans to engage with the committee during the process. A spokesperson said, "We are considering a range of options for expanding Heathrow airport while ensuring that we meet our climate change targets." Background context shows that the CCC has expressed concerns about the impact of airport expansion on carbon emissions in the past. In 2020, the committee warned that increasing aviation capacity could make it harder to meet the UK's net-zero target. Additional perspectives come from environmental groups, which have long been critical of plans to expand Heathrow. "The government is sleepwalking towards a climate disaster by pursuing airport expansion," said a spokesperson for Friends of the Earth. "We urge ministers to reconsider their plans and prioritize reducing emissions instead." The current status of the Heathrow expansion plans remains uncertain, with no clear timeline for when advice from the CCC will be sought or given. The government's decision on whether to proceed with the expansion is expected in the coming months. In conclusion, the UK government has yet to seek climate advice on Heathrow expansion from its advisory panel, despite repeated warnings about the impact of airport growth on carbon emissions targets. *Reporting by Bbc.*