Committee publication · Special Report · 12 January 2026 · HC 1600
7th Special Report - Airport expansion and climate and nature targets: Government Response
Summary
This is the Government's formal response to the Environmental Audit Committee's October 2025 report on airport expansion and climate/nature targets. The Government commits to reviewing the Airports National Policy Statement by summer 2026, supports Heathrow's third runway within strict environmental tests (climate, air quality, noise), and outlines existing decarbonisation policies including the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Mandate, UK Emissions Trading Scheme, and airspace modernisation.
Key findings
- Government will publish updated economic impact analysis on Heathrow expansion alongside revised Airports National Policy Statement by July 2026, subject to public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
- Government commits to legally including international aviation emissions within Carbon Budgets from 2033 onwards and intends to lay relevant legislation by summer 2026.
- Government supports airport initiatives using landing charges based on aircraft NOx emissions and notes £29 million Non-CO2 Research and Development Programme funding 13 projects, with further funding planned.
- Heathrow expansion expected to support over 100,000 jobs; Government states expansion 'always been factored into carbon budget planning' and refreshed Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan published 29 October 2025.
- Government emphasises that carbon prices in Jet Zero Strategy were 'not target carbon prices' but illustrative estimates, with SAF mandate targeting 22% of UK jet fuel mix by 2040.
Government position
Accepts the Committee's recommendations in principle but with qualifications and phased timelines. Accepts need for updated ANPS analysis and environmental assessments by summer 2026; accepts commitment to include international aviation in carbon budgets by summer 2026; accepts support for cleaner aircraft incentives and non-CO2 research. Partially accepts specific measurable limits for pollution and emissions, stating these will be 'determined as part of the review process' rather than pre-set. Rejects implication that airport expansion is incompatible with net zero, arguing expansion 'has always been factored into carbon budget planning.' Defers detailed penalties, enforcement mechanisms, and contrail avoidance consultation to ongoing or future review processes.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Department for Transport, Environmental Audit Committee, Heathrow Airport Limited, Civil Aviation Authority, Climate Change Committee, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Planning Inspectorate, Secretary of State for Transport
Notable line
“Airport expansion, including a third runway at Heathrow, has always been factored into carbon budget planning …”
Key Quotes
“The Government is committed to meeting its net zero emissions target by 2050 and associated carbon budgets.”
“… any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth as well as being delivered in line with the UK's legally binding climate change commitments and meeting strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.”
“The carbon prices set out in the Jet Zero Strategy were not target carbon prices, but illustrative potential future 10 carbon prices based on the best evidence at the time.”
“Airport expansion, including a third runway at Heathrow, has always been factored into carbon budget planning, and the refreshed Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, published on 29 October, sets out how the Government will meet carbon budgets 4–6 while driving growth.”
“The ANPS review and associated assessments will consider the latest available information on airspace modernisation and cumulative environmental impacts.”
“Subject to the allowances of parliamentary time, the Government intends to lay the relevant legislation by summer”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗