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
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
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
12 results
Clear
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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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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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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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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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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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