Heathrow expansion makes no sense, says Brown’s green czar

Lord Stern, who compiled a landmark report on global warming for Mr Brown, warned that supporting a bigger Heathrow undermined confidence in Britain's ability to meet its climate change target.

He also accused Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon of jumping the gun in announcing government approval
in January for another runway at the airport.

"Big transport decisions, such as the third runway at Heathrow, should be taken only if they make sense in the context of a coherent carbon and transport policy for the UK, and preferably, for Europe as a whole," he said.

"I would be surprised if construction of a third runway at Heathrow passed that test, which will be applied by the Committee on Climate Change by the end of this year. The runway decision should not have been taken before the committee's examination."

Ministers have been accused of colluding with airport operator BAA over the expansion plans and of ignoring local opposition.

Lord Stern, writing in The Times, said: "Recent decisions, such as approving Heathrow's third runway and a relatively weak green component of the fiscal boost, undermine confidence in the UK's ability to meet its climate change target."

He added: "It is vital that the Government shows it is credible on the environment."

Planning permission for a third runway is due to be fast-tracked through the new Infrastructure Planning Commission. However, ministers have admitted that planning consent will not be given for a third runway before the next general election, expected in May next year, as the commission is in the process of being set up. The Conservatives have vowed to block the plans for a bigger Heathrow, although their frontbench is divided over this policy.

Shadow London minister Justine Greening, a leading opponent of Heathrow expansion, welcomed Lord Stern's intervention.

She said: "This damning indictment by the Government's leading green adviser shows how ministers have quite simply got it wrong on Heathrow."

Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has committed the Government to cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

However, Lord Stern argued that ministers needed to be far more candid about the cost of Britain going green.

"The Government should make clear that consumers and taxpayers will pay higher prices and taxes, particularly for energy, flying and driving," he said, adding: "All political parties must be honest about it."

He stressed that Alistair Darling's Budget tomorrow was a "key test" in Labour's commitment to tackling global warming. He also opposed the building of new coal-fired power stations unless they are fully equipped with technology that captures and stores carbon dioxide instead of releasing it into the environment.

Lord Stern also said that investment would have to be "substantial" to deliver the mass use of electric cars being hailed by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.