MORE than 200 staff and postgraduate researchers at the University of Leeds have asked a cabinet minister to 'call in' the decision on Leeds Bradford Airport.
The airport’s planning application was given conditional approval by Leeds City Council on February 11 but campaigners say there should be Government-intervention as it threatens the UK's legally adopted net-zero target.
'Impact on the climate needs to be assessed'
The signatories, including 46 professors and associate professors, say that expanding LBA’s passenger numbers by 75 per cent exceeds the maximum rate of growth that the Climate Change Committee considers compatible with the UK’s legally adopted net-zero target.
46 of the signatories are professors and associate professors with expertise in climate change science; impacts and policy; zero carbon futures; the green job to job transition; sustainable transport, business, cities, energy and food; climate change communications, ecological economics and many other related fields of research.
They warn that expansion would make it much more difficult - and more costly - for the UK to achieve its climate targets and would require reductions in passenger numbers elsewhere in the UK.
A poll showed that 60 per cent of T&A readers said they do not agree with the current airport plans.
Paul Chatterton, Professor of Urban Futures at the University of Leeds, said: “On 24th February, Boris Johnson chaired a United Nations Security Council session and rightly told world leaders that climate change is a threat to our security. This is the context in which the UK’s Committee on Climate Change recently told the government there should be no net expansion of UK airport capacity unless the aviation sector is on track to sufficiently outperform its net emissions trajectory. Aviation very clearly is not ‘on track’ - its trajectory is one of increasing, not decreasing, greenhouse gas emissions.
“The following day, in response to pressure to reverse its outline approval, Leeds City Council said ‘Current government policy points to these emissions being something that should be primarily tackled at a national level’ and we agree. This is why the Secretary of State simply must call in this decision so the impact on the climate can be properly assessed.”
The open letter ends by saying: “In the year that the UK is hosting the COP26 conference, it is vital that we show leadership on climate change and take the necessary actions to secure a safe, zero-carbon future. We therefore urge you [Robert Jenrick] to call in this application so that the issues highlighted are considered in light of national and international climate targets and associated guidance.”
Its signatories include Professor Julia Steinberger and Professor Andy Challinor, lead authors of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Reports, which provide the world’s policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well as ways to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change.
Chris Foren, chair of the anti-airport expansion Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) said: “It is greatly encouraging to see that so many staff and postgraduate researchers from the University of Leeds have added their voices to request that the airport’s expansion application be called in.
“The Secretary of State has the power to intervene in planning matters that conflict with national policies or that cause substantial controversy. Given the UK’s 2050 net-zero target, and the international embarrassment caused by approving new airports and new coal mines in the year we are hosting COP26, it is critical he should now exercise that power.”
What does Leeds Bradford Airport say?
In June 2020, bosses refuted allegations that its proposed new terminal will increase flights and emissions in an interview with the T&A.
They said it is a step change for supporting the sector and region in reaching emissions targets.
Chief executive Hywel Rees said: “The submission of these plans embodies a strong long-term commitment at LBA to significantly reduce emissions in the UK aviation sector and the wider Yorkshire region. As technology in aviation improves, we must be ready to host the next generation of flying from a contemporary terminal facility."
You can read the full interview here: Leeds Bradford Airport boss defends plans for terminal
Andy Clarke, chairman of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “We thank the Plans Panel for all their diligent considerations and we are delighted with their support in principle.
"If fully approved, our scheme would enable us to become a net zero airport, delivering a much-improved passenger experience and creating thousands of jobs, helping to support our region’s recovery.
"We look forward to working with officers and hearing the final decision of the committee in due course.”
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