photo of planes flying near Heathrow

Heathrow expansion: our victory in court

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Climate 1 – Heathrow 0

The government’s decision to expand Heathrow Airport has been ruled "unlawful" by the Court of Appeal, on climate grounds. The ruling is the result of a tireless campaign by our legal team and local campaigners, who have been battling against the third runway for years.

The airport is already one of the biggest single sources of greenhouse gases in the UK, and the proposal would have led to around 700 extra flights per day.

At a time when the government should be investing in sustainable transport to address the climate emergency, it is a massive win for our local groups, our legal team, and all our supporters.

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More planes, more traffic, more pollution - and who wins?

Why Heathrow expansion is a bad idea

1) We can't stop climate breakdown by building runways

Heathrow is already the biggest single source of greenhouse gases in the UK. A third runway will all but blow our chances of meeting our targets for cutting emissions.

2) More flights for the few

Just 15% of the UK’s population take the majority (70%) of all flights. A bigger airport would mainly serve the interests of frequent flyers.

3) Filthy air, more noise

Already local people have to endure 1,300 noisy planes landing and taking off at Heathrow every day. Air pollution locally is way above legal limits.

4) The economic argument doesn't stack up

The government claims a third runway will be good for the economy – but there are no guarantees. And they haven’t factored in the true costs of climate change.

5) Transport on the wrong track

A bigger climate-wrecking airport is a massive distraction. 

We urgently need to invest in our rail and public transport networks – they’re simply not good enough for 21st century Britain. 

Get the latest from our campaigns, including our fight against the third runway

Many local people don't want a bigger Heathrow

Meet the local campaigners working to protect their communities from airport expansion.

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Our legal challenge to Heathrow expansion explained

Friends of the Earth believes the decision to allow a third runway is unlawful because it:

  • ignores the impact of all those extra planes and traffic on the climate
  • ignores the huge consequences for future generations.

So we appealed the decision to give Heathrow expansion the go-ahead – and won!

The ruling has huge implications for other projects too, as lawyer Katie explains.

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With your support, we'll continue to fight planet-wrecking decisions like Heathrow

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