Heathrow expansion incompatible with UK Net Zero targets, says CCC

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has advised that Heathrow Airport's proposed expansion is not currently compatible with the United Kingdom’s Net Zero target under existing policies. The independent statutory body stated that for expansion to align with carbon budgets, the government must implement robust policies requiring the aviation industry to reach zero emissions by 2050.

To achieve this, the CCC suggests a combination of direct emissions reductions and the purchase of engineered carbon removals. The committee noted that aviation emissions have more than doubled since 1990, while overall UK economy emissions have halved. Heathrow currently accounts for approximately half of the aviation industry’s emissions.

Implementing these requirements could increase travel costs. The CCC estimated that by 2050, a return trip to Alicante could cost £150 more, while a return to New York could increase by £400 in today’s prices. The committee also recommended strengthening the climate tests within the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement to explicitly include the 2050 Net Zero goal.