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Comment: Heathrow doubt
Evening Standard24.07.08
The decision by Co-operative Travel to oppose a third runway at Heathrow underlines the central weakness of the Government's position on expansion. The travel agent is worried about the effect on the UK's carbon dioxide emissions: it points out that there is a fundamental contradiction between the increased emissions caused by more flights and more passengers travelling to and from the airport, and the Government's stated aim of reducing carbon emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050. The Co-op argues instead for "moderate growth" in flights accompanied by reductions in aviation-industry emissions through technological progress.
Earlier this week, a report from the Stockholm Environment Institute was strongly critical of expansion. It pointed out that the Government's consultation exercise based the case on assumptions of oil costing $53 a barrel and increasing consumer demand - both of which look unrealistic against current oil prices and the worsening economic outlook. Yet last week the Prime Minister said that "it is right to go ahead with airport expansion", despite the fact that the Government has still not published its official reaction to the consultation. He should reserve judgment: it is becoming increasingly clear that the aviation industry has still not made its economic or environmental case.
