Friends of the Earth in court to continue challenge against unlawful decision to build third runway at Heathrow

• Environmental organisation challenging government decision on climate change and sustainable development grounds
• Pre-trial hearing to take place on 15th January at the High Court from 10am, with public demonstration outside the courts ahead of this
• Runway decision also being challenged by other claimants on grounds of air quality and impact on local residents

Friends of the Earth is taking legal action against the government in a bid to overturn the decision to build a third runway at Heathrow. Tuesday (15th January) sees the pre-trial
hearing at The High Court, with Friends of the Earth spokespeople available for interview.

The campaigners argue that the decision is unlawful due to its failure to consider the climate change and sustainable development implications of the project and the consequences on future generations (see notes to editors for full explanation).

Laura MacKenzie, climate change campaigner at Friends of the Earth, added:

“The government should never have entertained the idea of a climate-wrecking third runway, with Heathrow already the UK’s single biggest source of emissions. Support for airport expansion ignores the severity of the climate crisis and the harm that it is already inflicting on people and nature around the world including right here in the UK.

“The government should cancel the third runway and adopt fair and equitable policies to keep aviation demand within environmental limits, such as a frequent flier levy.”