Airport expansion and climate and nature targets

Environmental Audit Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 28 Mar 2025 Parliament page
The Environmental Audit Committee is undertaking an inquiry on airport expansion and climate and nature targets. In this inquiry the Committee is seeking to: establish the climate and environmental targets which Ministers ought to ensure are met under its policy to support airport expansion; examine current projections for aviation demand, … Read more
17 Recommendations
12 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 11 events
20 May
2026
Correspondence
11 Mar
2026
Correspondence
22 Jan
2026
Correspondence
12 Jan
2026
Report published
24 Oct
2025
Report published
16 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
16 Jul
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
18 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
18 Jun
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
14 May
2025
Oral evidence
14 May
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
16 Jul 2025
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
David Silk · Department for Transport Dr Pauleen Lane CBE · Planning Inspectorate Hannah Newell · Department for Transport Ian Thynne · Hillingdon Council Mike Kane MP · Department for Transport Peta Donkin · National Infrastructure Planning Association Sonia Krylova · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
18 Jun 2025
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Andrew Meaney · Oxera Dr Alex Chapman · New Economics Foundation Dr Stuart Jenkins · University of Oxford Duncan McCourt · Sustainable Aviation Matthew Gorman MBE · Heathrow Neil Robinson · Manchester Airports Group
14 May 2025
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Alethea Warrington · Possible Celeste Hicks · Aviation Environment Federation Dr Lisa Lavia · Noise Abatement Society Johann Beckford · Green Alliance Paul Beckford · No 3rd Runway Coalition Professor Rob Miller · Whittle Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Airport expansion and climate and nature targets HC 831 24 Oct 2025 29 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
29 results
1 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Unclear economic benefits of airport expansion due to insufficient government evidence.
While airport expansion is likely to provide some economic growth through growth of the aviation sector, the level of growth to the UK economy provided by airport expansion is unclear and the Government has so far failed to provide substantial … Read more
Government Response
The government states that airport expansion proposals must demonstrate economic growth and commits to developing and publishing updated analysis on Heathrow's economic impacts by summer 2026 as part of the ANPS review.
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2 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Commission detailed research and set out expected economic growth from airport expansion.
Before formally agreeing any airport expansion plans, the Government should: (Recommendation, Paragraph 14) 1) Commission more detailed and serious research into the net economic benefits. (Recommendation, Paragraph 15) 2) Clearly set out what level of growth to the UK economy … Read more
Government Response
The government refers to its commitment to develop updated analysis on the economic impacts of Heathrow expansion as part of the ANPS review. It also states that any promoter must demonstrate compliance with ANPS requirements and that the Making Best Use policy for other airports will be reviewed for fitness for purpose.
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3 Conclusion Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Government failed to address concerns over regional economic impact of South East airport expansion.
We heard concerns that if airport expansion is focused around the South East of England it could concentrate wider growth in those regions. This could be detrimental to the aviation and airport sectors, and the local economy, around the rest … Read more
Government Response
The government's response deflects by discussing the review of air quality limits and other environmental assessments for Heathrow expansion, with consultations in summer 2026, without addressing the committee's concern about the regional concentration of economic growth.
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4 Recommendation Accepted in Part
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Publish analysis of London airport expansion's economic impact on wider UK regions.
In response to this report the Government should set out how the planned expansion of London Airports will impact the aviation and airport sector around the rest of the UK and the economic impact and level of growth in the … Read more
Government Response
The government stated that the DfT will develop updated analysis on the economic impacts of Heathrow expansion as part of the ANPS review and will consider changes to the Making Best Use policy for airports beyond Heathrow.
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5 Conclusion Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Government updating ANPS; Heathrow airport expansion decision linked to new ANPS publication.
The Government has confirmed that it is updating the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). We welcome the letter from the then Aviation Minister, Mike Kane MP, to the Committee following his appearance which confirmed that the Heathrow decision would not … Read more
Government Response
The government's response deflects from the committee's welcome of the ANPS update and Heathrow decision delay, instead detailing the review of noise impacts for Heathrow expansion, with mitigations and consultations planned for summer 2026.
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6 Conclusion Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Airport expansion plans based on outdated ANPS, inconsistent with current government objectives.
We are concerned that airport expansion plans will have been produced prior to the publication of a new ANPS which ought to be in place to provide the airports with strategic guidance. We are also deeply concerned that, given a … Read more
Government Response
The government deflects from the concern about airport expansion plans being approved under an outdated policy framework by stating that it is reviewing and updating environmental assessments like the Appraisal of Sustainability and Habitats Regulations Assessment, which will be subject to consultation alongside any amended ANPS.
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7 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Current airport planning approach lacks strategic UK-wide consideration and scrutiny.
The Government should be taking a more strategic approach that should consider wider growth and planning across the whole of the UK. Finally, we are very disappointed that this approach does not allow proper consideration and scrutiny of airport expansion … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation by detailing an ongoing review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which began in October. This review will consider changes in legislation and policy, assess cumulative environmental impacts, include updated aviation forecasts for various airports, and ensure parliamentary scrutiny, thereby adopting a more strategic approach.
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8 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Airport expansion hinders air quality targets; ANPS fails to account for pollution impact.
Whilst air pollution around Heathrow has reduced in recent years due to cleaner aircraft and road vehicles, airport expansion will make it harder for Governments, both national and local, to deliver on air quality targets. The Airports National Policy Statement … Read more
Government Response
The government stated that as part of the ANPS review, DfT is considering how air quality tests for Heathrow expansion should be set, reviewing changes in legislation/policy/data, and determining mitigations for air quality impacts, with consultation in summer 2026.
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9 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Impose air quality limits around airports and mandate measures for no net pollution increase.
The Government, when updating the Airports National Policy Statement, should impose air quality limits for areas surrounding airports covering all key air quality pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Having established those limits, government should require that any … Read more
Government Response
The government deflects the recommendation for air quality limits and pollution mitigation around airports by detailing its Non-CO2 Research and Development Programme and Contrails Impact Mitigation Task and Finish Group, focusing on non-CO2 climate impacts rather than local air quality.
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10 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Incentivise airlines to use aircraft reducing non-CO2 emissions and consult on fleet age
The Government should set out in its response to this report what work and research it is supporting to reduce non-CO2 emissions that damage air quality around airports. It should also confirm whether it has identified which current aircraft have … Read more
Government Response
The government deflects the recommendation regarding non-CO2 emissions and local air quality around airports by focusing its response on carbon pricing mechanisms (UK ETS, CORSIA), decarbonisation targets, sustainable aviation fuels, and global action for achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
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11 Conclusion Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Airports National Policy Statement inadequate in accounting for aircraft noise pollution
The Airports National Policy Statement fails to account for noise pollution. Whilst improvements have been seen in reducing the level of noise made by individual flights, more must be done to minimise the impact on those who live under and … Read more
Government Response
The government stated its policy to mitigate aviation noise and noted that the DfT is considering noise impacts and mitigations as part of an ongoing Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) review, with any amendments subject to consultation in summer 2026.
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12 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Include specific noise pollution targets for flights within updated Airports National Policy Statement
The Government should ensure that it is actively working to minimise and mitigate all impacts of noise pollution on relevant populations caused through flying. It should also include a target, within the new ANPS, on the level of acceptable noise … Read more
Government Response
The government entirely deflects the recommendation on noise pollution mitigation and setting noise targets in the ANPS by discussing its use of carbon markets (UK ETS, CORSIA) to drive CO2 decarbonisation in the aviation sector.
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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Airspace modernisation likely to expand flight paths and increase noise impact
We understand the need for the Government to modernise the airspace around the UK, particularly if this will minimise the queuing of planes at airports and reduce the time planes spend circling before they can land. However, this work is … Read more
Government Response
The government details its ANPS review for Heathrow expansion, stating that its four tests, including climate, air quality, and noise, will be considered. It commits to consultations on any ANPS amendments and associated environmental assessments by summer 2026, and to engaging the Climate Change Committee on consistency with net zero.
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14 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Publish noise and biodiversity impact assessments for airspace modernisation, and expand mitigation
The Government must publish an impact assessment of its airspace modernisation work in regard to how it will change noise impacts as well as publish a map which allows people to see where the noise of aircraft is likely to … Read more
Government Response
The government defers to an ongoing ANPS review which will consider relevant changes and be subject to consultation by summer 2026. Specific impact assessments, maps, and mitigation expansion will be part of future DCO applications, rather than being committed to by the government directly.
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15 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Airports National Policy Statement unfit for purpose, lacking integrated environmental limits
The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) is not fit for purpose and requires updating to reflect Government policy. The ANPS specifically fails to: • Provide an integrated view on the role of the aviation and airport system across the country … Read more
Government Response
The government confirmed that a review of the ANPS commenced in October and will consider legislative changes, environmental tests (including cumulative impacts), and update associated assessments, with DfT expecting to consult on a revised ANPS by July 2026 if amendments are needed.
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16 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Update Airports National Policy Statement with coherent plan, specific environmental limits, and cumulative impacts
The Government should update the Airports National Policy Statement no later than six months after the publication of this report. The updated Statement should: • set out a coherent plan from Government about the airport and aviation system that takes … Read more
Government Response
The government has begun a review of the ANPS and expects to consult on a revised ANPS by July 2026 if amendments are needed, significantly deferring the committee's recommended six-month timeline.
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17 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
International aviation emissions not formally legislated within UK Carbon Budgets
Whilst the Committee understands the Government position that it includes international aviation emissions within its carbon calculations, the UK is yet to formally legislate to include international aviation emissions within the Carbon Budgets, despite it agreeing to do so previously. … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the committee's observation, stating it is already acting on the basis that international aviation emissions are formally included from 2033 and intends to lay the relevant legislation by summer 2026.
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18 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Legislate to formally include international aviation emissions within Carbon Budgets and Net Zero targets
We reiterate the recommendation made by the Climate Change Committee, our predecessor Committee and others that the Government makes Parliamentary time available to introduce the necessary legislation to formally include international aviation emissions within Carbon Budgets and its Net Zero … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating they intend to lay the necessary legislation to formally include international aviation emissions within Carbon Budgets by summer 2026, subject to parliamentary time.
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19 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Reducing non-CO2 aviation effects like contrails crucial for achieving net zero
Whilst a reduction in aviation emissions is necessary to deliver a net zero aviation sector, an important contribution to the UK’s efforts is the reduction of non-CO2 effects, such as contrails. (Conclusion, Paragraph 81)
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of addressing non-CO2 aviation impacts like contrails, highlighting existing initiatives such as the £29 million Non-CO2 Research and Development Programme and the Contrails Impact Mitigation Task and Finish Group.
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20 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Require consultation on airspace-wide contrail avoidance and account for non-CO2 aviation effects.
Within six months of the publication of this report the Government must consult on airspace-wide contrail avoidance measures. Furthermore, given the significant role that non-CO2 effects play in global warming, the Government must account for these in its assessment of … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the recommendation but defers action on contrail avoidance consultation and accounting for non-CO2 effects due to significant uncertainty and ongoing research. It highlights a £29m R&D programme and a task group assessing feasibility, with findings to inform future policy.
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21 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Government's Jet Zero Strategy insufficient to deliver Net Zero aviation objectives.
The Government’s Jet Zero Strategy remains reliant on demand management measures that are as yet insufficient to deliver Net Zero objectives, especially if there is an increase in demand. The strategy relies on a far higher cost to industry to … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about the Jet Zero Strategy, clarifying that carbon prices and emission savings were illustrative, and reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the UK ETS and developing Sustainable Aviation Fuels as key parts of its existing strategy.
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22 Recommendation Acknowledged
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Update Jet Zero Strategy analysis to reflect technological developments and current policy changes.
The government’s Jet Zero strategy is now a few years old and was commissioned under the previous government. Government should consider updating the analysis of the baseline and the pathways to net zero aviation. It should ensure that the plans … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterated its commitment to carbon pricing and strengthening the UK ETS and CORSIA, clarifying that the Jet Zero Strategy's carbon prices and emission savings were illustrative, not targets. It mentioned a recent monitoring and evaluation report to inform progress, but did not commit to updating the strategy's baseline and pathways analysis as requested.
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23 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Set out detailed analysis on aviation impacts and mitigations if airport expansion proceeds.
If the Government proceeds with airport expansion it should set out to the Committee in its response to this report, in-depth analysis on: • How it will ensure carbon costs will reach the level the Government expected in the Jet … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterated its commitment to existing carbon pricing mechanisms and stated that Jet Zero Strategy figures were illustrative, not targets. It did not provide the requested in-depth analysis on how carbon costs would be ensured, specific emission savings, penalties, international flight targets, or environmental mitigations if the sector fails to decarbonise.
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24 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Aviation sector's carbon emissions are not fully paid for, creating artificial cheapness.
The aviation sector does not fully pay for its carbon emissions, whether this is through the lack of a direct carbon tax, VAT on its fuel, or the greater benefits it receives through the Emissions Trading Scheme compared to other … Read more
Government Response
The government stated that it drives decarbonisation through existing carbon pricing schemes like the UK ETS and CORSIA, which align with the ‘polluter pays’ principle, and committed to reviewing the treatment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the UK ETS.
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25 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Ensure aviation sector pays fair share and include Sustainable Aviation Fuels in ETS.
The Government should ensure that the aviation sector pays its fair share towards mitigating its carbon emissions and the benefits it receives in comparison to other sectors. Aviation should be included in Emissions Trading Schemes and the government should include … Read more
Government Response
The government states that aviation is already included in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme for certain flights, and the scheme already supports the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels. It notes the UK ETS Authority will review SAF treatment and consult on options in due course.
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26 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Conduct wider review of aviation taxation to ensure 'polluter pays' principle is upheld.
Government should also conduct a wider review of aviation taxation to ensure that the ‘polluter pays’ principle is upheld, and the aviation industry does not receive benefits which are denied to other important industries. The aviation industry will then be … Read more
Government Response
The government stated that Air Passenger Duty and carbon markets like the UK ETS and CORSIA already incorporate the ‘polluter pays’ principle and drive decarbonisation, without committing to a wider review of aviation taxation.
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27 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Airport expansion risks climate targets and lacks demonstrated economic benefits outweighing environmental harm.
Whilst it may be possible for the Government to deliver airport expansion alongside its climate and environment targets, we are concerned that the proposed environmental impact from airport expansion will make such targets significantly more difficult to achieve and at … Read more
Government Response
The government reaffirmed its commitment to net zero, stating that airport expansion is factored into carbon planning and that the ANPS review will consider climate, air quality, and noise, alongside reviewing and updating various environmental assessments. It also committed to engaging the Climate Change Committee on aviation expansion's consistency with the net zero framework.
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28 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Undertake detailed review of airport expansion's impact on climate, environment, and biodiversity targets.
The Government must undertake a detailed review on whether significant airport expansion will realistically allow it to deliver on its legally binding climate, environment and biodiversity targets. This should include a detailed examination of the measures that need to be … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating that a review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) commenced in October to consider changes in legislation, policy, and data. This review will assess compliance with climate and environmental commitments, update assessments, and engage the Climate Change Committee.
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29 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Airport expansion and…
Publish detailed review findings on airport expansion before refreshed ANPS or new projects.
The results of this review should be published before or alongside the refreshed ANPS and before any further substantial airport expansion projects are underway. This is crucial to enable proper scrutiny. Failure to do so could put the Government and … Read more
Government Response
The government committed that any amendments to the ANPS and its associated assessments, reflecting the review's findings, will be subject to consultation by summer 2026 as part of the parliamentary scrutiny process.
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Government Response AI assessment · 29 of 17 classified
Accepted 12
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 5
Deferred 10
Not Addressed 1
Total 17 recs + 12 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
20 May 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of Climate relating to The Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipping) Regulations 2026, 17 April
Parliament page
11 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport relating to the government’s response to the committee Airport expansion and climate and nature targets, 24 February
Parliament page
22 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to Secretary of State for Transport relating to the Government response to the committees report on Airport expansion and Climate and Nature targets, 22 January 2026
Parliament page