Help stop Heathrow and Gatwick expansion
In February 2020, with your support, we scored a huge victory for the planet when the Court of Appeal agreed that plans to build a third runway at Heathrow were illegal. But in December 2020, the Supreme Court overturned the decision, allowing the project to proceed to the next stage.
The Prime Minister had the power to scrap the policy decision to support Heathrow expansion. But in January 2025 the chancellor Rachel Reeves made an announcement backing airport expansion and a third runway at Heathrow, while reducing the nature protections required of developers.
In February 2025 the government set out a pathway for expansion at Gatwick Airport, which would see its capacity increased to operating two fully-functioning runways serving commercial flights. Expanding Gatwick won’t deliver the growth needed – but it will increase the carbon emissions exacerbating the increasingly severe storms, floods and heatwaves that are costing lives, as well as air pollution and noise for people living nearby.
Benefits will be enjoyed by shareholders and the wealthiest few who fly frequently. Sacrificing nature and our climate isn’t leadership, it’s rash, short-sighted and a sure-fire way to lose the trust of those who believed Labour's election promises on the environment.
Add your name now to demand no more airport expansion while we’re in a climate emergency.
Can flying ever be green?
It’s unlikely that flying will ever be green, or at least not for many decades, because the technologies are currently just speculative at the scale needed. So, the best and only realistic option right now is to reduce flying. This requires more ambitious emissions cuts, an end to airport expansion and better alternatives to air travel.
Find out more about our policy position on flying.
Why airport expansion is a bad idea
1) We can't stop climate breakdown by building runways
Heathrow is one of the biggest single sources of greenhouse gases in the UK. The Airport Commission estimated there would be an additional 4.4m tonnes of CO2 a year from a third runway at Heathrow.
2) More flights for the few
Just 15% of the UK’s population take the majority (70%) of all flights. Bigger airports 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. A third runway could mean a 50% increase in flights. Air pollution locally is a problem, and nearly all of London doesn’t comply with WHO standards.
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. Emissions from flights are growing while the aviation industry receives at least £10 billion in subsidies annually, due to tax breaks on fuel. This costs taxpayers and allows the sector to pollute without meeting climate targets. And the burden of climate action is shifted onto other sectors.
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.
Demand no more airport expansion
Add your name
Local communities vs Heathrow
Ethical travel
