1 May 2019

Today the High Court rejected five legal challenges to the Government’s planned scheme to extend Heathrow airport [1].

Responding to the news, Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, said:

“It is a huge blow for our planet and future generations now that the challenges against the third runway at Heathrow airport have been thrown out.

Heathrow is already the single biggest source of carbon emissions in the UK, further expansion will only exacerbate climate and pollution problems. This government cannot dismiss the finding of experts and scientists and the voices and votes of an increasingly aware public.

The UK government is in total denial of its climate responsibilities. The UK signed up to the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement and sustainable development goals, but government policy is not reflecting that.

We need to adapt our actions to a future that is less polluting – we simply cannot carry on as normal.

Greens remain consistent and are united in our opposition to Heathrow expansion. We will not give up this fight.”

Notes:

[1] https://www.ft.com/content/b456397e-6bf0-11e9-a9a5-351eeaef6d84