Friends Of The Earth Anticipate Government’s Airport Expansion Decision

Friends of the Earth’s head of campaigns Andrew Pendleton, who lives under the Heathrow flightpath in west London, has released the following statements in the build up to Tuesday’s (25 October 2016) government decision on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick airport.

“We won’t tackle climate change if Heathrow or Gatwick airports are allowed to expand.

“Expanding airports anywhere will also cause more noise and air pollution, with millions of people under flightpaths facing hundreds of extra flights every day.

Expanding airports anywhere will also cause more noise and air pollution.

“Ministers must realise that signing the Paris agreement requires action too. We can’t keep giving the green light to climate-wrecking activities such as more flights and fracking.

“Whatever the decision, campaigners, communities and councils will continue the fight against airport expansion – and the pollution and misery this would bring.”

• Aviation makes up nearly 7% of the UK’s overall carbon emissions. Airport expansion is incompatible with reaching the Paris Agreement goal of keeping warming below 1.5 degrees
• The case for airport expansion is very weak. Taken together, London’s five airports already serve more destinations than any other European city
• 15% of the UK population take about 70% of all flights. Friends of the Earth backs proposals for a frequent flyer levy to replace Air Passenger Duty.