Green groups had argued building third runway would be inconsistent with UK's Paris Agreement climate commitments
The High Court has rejected a wave of legal challenges against the government's decision to back a third runway at Heathrow, including claims brought by green groups that expanding the airport would be inconsistent with the UK's international climate change commitments.
Today's decision marks a victory for the government and paves the way for Heathrow to press ahead with the third runway, construction of which is currently scheduled to start in 2021 before becoming operational by 2026.
Plans to expand the UK's largest airport have been dogged by legal wrangles ever since MP's backed the government's decision last summer, although the Department for Transport has insisted this would not impact on Heathrow's planning application nor the construction timetable.
Proponents of Heathrow Airport expansion argue the project is necessary for boosting jobs and growth, and that improvements in aviation technology will make the new runway compatible with long term carbon emissions and air quality targets.
Five parties had challenged the UK government's decision last summer to grant permission for a third runway with suits filed by a coalition of green campaign groups, local residents, several London boroughs, and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
However, all of the cases were dismissed by the High Court this morning.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling welcomed the decision, and argued a third runway could be delivered within environmental targets.
"The expansion of Heathrow is vital and will provide a massive economic boost to businesses and communities across the length and breadth of Britain, all at no cost to the taxpayer and within our environmental obligations," he said. "I now call on all public bodies not to waste any more taxpayers' money or seek to further delay this vital project which will benefit every corner of the United Kingdom."
In two separate challenges, green groups Friends of the Earth and Plan B had argued the increasing flight capacity at the UK's biggest airport would lead to a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions, making it inconsistent with the UK's commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Other parties argued the move would lead to an increase in local road traffic, as well as noise and air pollution.
But the High Court ruled the approval for the project was legal and the government's national policy statement, which supports Heathrow expansion, could stand. The government has consistently maintained that the aviation industry's commitment to curb future emissions meant expansion was compatible with the UK's long term carbon targets and air quality rules. Campaigners have countered that the government's projections for aviation emissions are based on technologies that are yet to be invented and the assumption further expansion will not be permitted at other UK airports.
Tim Crosland, director of Plan B and also a legal advisor to the Extinction Rebellion protestors, lamented today's "disappointing" High Court judgement, and slammed "reckless" plans to expand capacity at the UK's biggest flight hub amid "widespread recognition that we are in a state of climate and ecological emergency".
"Acting on that emergency demands an urgent and radical reduction of emissions, which is clearly inconsistent with plans to expand aviation," he said. "For as long as the government and the Courts bury their heads in the sand over climate breakdown, and fail to safeguard the future of this country and its young people, the social contract is broken. Non-violent civil disobedience is an urgent and necessary response and can already be seen to be working."
Crosland said Plan B was likely to lodge an appeal against today's ruling.
It comes as MPs debate in Parliament today whether the UK should declare a national climate emergency after high profile protests across the country in recent weeks demanding more forceful action to cut emissions.
And tomorrow government advisors on the Committee on Climate Change are expected to recommend the UK increases its decarbonisation ambitions by setting a target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Labour's Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, has also campaigned against Heathrow expansion, and was at the High Court today for the judgement. "The government has got off the hook because they are not willing to recognise Paris Agreement in law," he said. "Obviously, there will now be appeals, as it is matter of common sense that Paris Agreement must be taken into account in full."