Gatwick accused of deceiving residents over second runway plans
It follows a report claiming old carbon figures were used during the public consultation
A campaign group has claimed Gatwick Airport lied during a public consultation on plans for a second runway.
Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions (CAGNE) says a recent report from the New Economics Foundation should bring 'serious questions' to how anyone can support the plans.
The report claims that using the most up to date carbon value would 'wipe out the majority of the benefit claimed by Gatwick Airport’ in relation to expansion plans. It also says updated figures mean any decisions made were made on 'grossly underestimated figures'.
Alex Chapman, researcher at the New Economics Foundation said: “More than two years on from adopting our 2050 net-zero target, the government has finally updated its estimates of how much it will cost to clean up greenhouse gas emissions from any new infrastructure projects. The huge increase means that decisions have been made, including on eight proposed airport expansions, on the basis of grossly underestimated costs to the climate and our society.
"Only 16% of the £74bn tab for cleaning up the emissions from these expansions will be covered by the aviation sector. The rest will be picked up by wider society and the taxpayer. In essence, a colossal subsidy is being passed to polluting big business, and a debt passed on to future generations. As the majority of aviation emissions are made by a small number of wealthy frequent flyers, this is the opposite of ‘levelling-up’."
A Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are acutely aware of our responsibilities on climate change and the environment and we will grow in a way that supports the Government in achieving its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our Northern Runway plans are designed to unlock new capacity from our existing infrastructure, much of which is already in place.
“We believe our Northern Runway plans can be compatible with UK climate change targets given a strong industry focus on reducing emissions through market-based measures and innovation, including improvements in engine efficiency, the use of sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen and electric-power technologies.
“New processes and technologies obviously require investment to develop and we will continue to work collaboratively cross-industry to ensure we stay on-course to meet the Government commitment of net zero emissions by 2050.”