Heathrow expansion Flashcards
Motives
• To cut CO2
UK legislation commits the government to cut CO2 levels by 80% of 1990 levels in 2050
Motives
• EU regulations
UK has been breaching EU limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) since 2010
What is it?
Proposed third runway now going ahead, the finial vote is put to MPs for a vote in the winter of 2017, a new runway could be operational by 2025
What does the plan involve?
The plan involves building a new 3,500m runway about two miles north of the two runways Heathrow already has, at an estimated cost of £17.6bn.
Supporters
• Unions
A wide range of unions and business groups welcomed the decision to expand Heathrow, due to the economic benefit to passengers and the wider economy worth up to £61bn and creates as many as 77,000 additional local jobs over the next 14 years.
Supporters
• The Airport Commission
“Heathrow expansion will keep the capital and the whole of the UK at the heart of the global economy, meet environment targets and balance the needs of the local communities”
Critics
• Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson saying a third runway was “undeliverable”
Critics
• Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said expanding the west London airport was the wrong decision for both London and the UK
Critics
• John McDonnell 2015
People are dying from air “poisoned” by the aviation industry, which has “consistently lied” about expanding Heathrow airport
Critics
• Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green party
the decision to expand Heathrow airport ‘tramples over the concerns of local people and puts a wrecking ball through the Government’s claim to be concerned about climate change.
Plane Stupid facts on carbon budget
The aviation sector threatens to take up most of the safe carbon budget by 2030, and that is without any new runways.
Plane Stupid on meeting targets
A new runway at Heathrow make it impossible for the UK to meet climate targets set in the Climate Change Act 2008.
Opposition
• West London MPs
Most west London MPs strongly oppose expansion.
Environmental compensation
• Green area
The airport has committed to a £105m plan to transform a green area near the airport, into a haven four times the size of Hyde Park
Environmental argument
• Marginal NO2 increase
The expansion would only lead to a marginal increase in NO2 from Heathrow as there would be significant reductions elsewhere thanks to changes in diesel engines and greater use of electric vehicles
Failures
• Destruction of homes
Destroying 783 homes and most of the village Hamondsworth
Environmental challenge
• Climate Change
The biggest environmental challenge of the expansion is the impact on climate change goals. Existing UK legislation commits the government to cut CO2 levels by 80% of 1990 levels in 2050
Context
• Aviation emission
Aviation currently accounts 6% of UK emission
Measure taken by government to compensate the environmental cost
• Ban on night flights
The government proposes a six-and-a-half hour ban on scheduled night flights for the first time
Measure taken by government to compensate the environmental cost
• Cash
£700m pot of cash will be given by government to pay for noise insulation for local residents
Measure taken by government to compensate the environmental cost
• Increase noise levy
The should be an increased noise levy to benefit local communities and an independent aviation noise committee should be established with a statutory right to be consulted on operating procedures
Labour’s stance on a third runway
The party would back a third runway, despite the reluctance of Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell
