Dear John
I’m really sorry to have to tell you that the Supreme Court has just overturned our historic legal victory against the government’s decision to support expansion at Heathrow Airport.
This decision brings the airport a step closer to building a third runway. If that happens it would mean a dramatic rise in flights and greenhouse gas emissions. But for the sake of people and planet, we’re not giving up.
And there is hope – in fact it’s clear from the judgment that this is not a green light to start construction. Far from it.
Boris Johnson still has the power to scrap the policy decision to support Heathrow expansion. With the prime minister currently trying to prove his green credentials to the world, now’s the perfect time to demand a re-think. If enough of us speak out, Heathrow’s third runway can still be stopped.
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Heathrow is already one of the largest single sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.
Expansion at Heathrow would be a disaster for the climate, as well as an air and noise pollution nightmare for the local communities facing a 50% increase in flights a day if the third runway is built.
But as I said, the judgement isn’t a green light for Heathrow to start building. For that, they need planning permission, which they don’t have. The judges explicitly stated that the airport’s plans would still need to satisfy climate tests during the planning process – something we believe it will be very difficult for them to do.
The world has moved on since the government first made the decision to back the third runway in 2018. Climate policy has been significantly tightened since then. And just last week the government's own climate advisors poured serious doubt on the runway – saying there should be no overall increase in airport capacity in the UK if we are to meet our climate commitments.
So with the choice still in Mr Johnson’s hands, let’s ask him to protect the planet, show real climate leadership, and scrap Heathrow – and indeed any – airport expansion.
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Today is a setback, not the end. There’s everything still to play for.
Best wishes,
Katie
Lawyer, Friends of the Earth
PS. Do you remember when Boris Johnson said, "I will lie down with you in front of those bulldozers and stop the construction of that third runway"? We know the prime minister’s not always stuck rigidly to his word. But the quote shows he’s not entirely sold on Heathrow expansion. That’s another reason to keep the pressure up so please sign the petition today.
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