UK think-tank wants ‘green’ conditions attached to planned third runway at Heathrow Airport

The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), a think-tank based in London, the United Kingdom, has opposed the plan to build a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport saying that the proposed runway will be a “white elephant” unless aviation is made “greener.” 

The Institute of Public Policy Research has declared that if a third runway is allowed at Heathrow Airport, conditions for meeting noise and emissions targets must have to be attached.  

The think-tank’s opinion has come out even as the British government is expected to announce next week whether or not to give the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow.  

The Institute for Public Policy Research, founded in 1988, has strong ties to Britain’s Labour Party and its declared goals are coming up with progressive ideas related to upholding social justice, democratic reform and environmental sustainability. 

In a report, IPPR stressed: “Any decision to build the controversial extension to London’s Heathrow Airport should only be made if the aircraft that use it meet the industry’s own emission targets.” 

The aviation industry has already pledged to cut carbon dioxide emissions and noise emissions by 50% and nitrogen oxides emissions by 80% by 2020. 

Simon Retallack, head of climate change at the Institute for Public Policy Research, said in the report: “The economic advantages of a third runway at Heathrow Airport have been greatly overstated while the environmental case against it is overwhelming. If ministers were to give the runway a green light, this should only be with strict conditions for meeting tough air quality, noise and climate change targets.” 

“Only those aircraft which meet or exceeded the same targets should be permitted to land on the proposed runway,” Retallack said. “The British Airports Authority (BAA) – which operates Heathrow Airport – and the airline industry must bear the risk that a third runway will be a white elephant if aviation cannot be made greener.” 

According to the IPPR report, if a third runway is built without these conditions attached, “European air quality standards will continue to be breached, noise pollution for households on flight paths will increase and a valuable opportunity will be missed to ensure that the aviation industry prepares for a low-carbon future.” 

The Sunday Times newspaper of Britain said in a report that Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, would lead initiating legal proceedings if the government approves a third runway at Heathrow Airport. 

The newspaper quoted Mayor Boris Johnson – a member of the Conservative Party – as saying that the proposed runway at Heathrow Airport, located in west London, “would put the health of Londoners at risk and blight communities under the flight path.”  

Johnson had earlier suggested building a 24-hour airport on an artificial island in the Thames Estuary, which could possibly replace Heathrow Airport totally.  

Though the Conservatives are opposed to the new runway, the government has consistently supported the plan. 

Over 50 Labour MPs also are opposing the proposal for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.