Help stop Heathrow airport expansion
Add your name now to demand no more airport expansion while we’re in a climate emergency.
Can flying ever be green?
Aviation will continue to contribute to climate change, at least for the foreseeable future, because the so-called solutions like sustainable aviation fues 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.
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. Airport expansion just means extra 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. Airport expansion means filthy air and 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 for airport expansion 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. We need to invest in public transport over flying
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
Ethical travel
The history of our campaign to stop airport 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.
Communities campaigning against airport expansion
Newcastle
Climate Action Newcastle is campaigning against Newcastle Airport's plans to double the number of passengers, extend its terminal and runway, and increase private jet services. The airport's net zero only apply to airport operations, and do not account for the emissions released by the huge number of flights proposed.
Find out more about their campaign to stop airport flights doubling to protect North East jobs, wildlife and futures.
Leeds Bradford
West Yorkshire Friends of the Earth groups are joining forces with community group Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA). They believe the airport is big enough already, and are campaigning against the proposed scrapping of a cap on night flights, which would enable the airport to expand from 4million to 7million passengers a year.
Heathrow
Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN) is a campaigning organisation formed in the 1970s to give a voice to residents under the Heathrow flight paths.
As part of HACAN, Friends of the Earth local action groups in and around West London are gearing up to campaign against Heathrow airport’s plans to build a 3rd runway, to protect our climate and the health and wellbeing of people and nature in and around London.
Gatwick
Communities against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) is a network of community groups from the areas surrounding Gatwick airport concerned with the totality of aircraft noise produced by arrivals and departures, environmental issues, airspace and surface access for Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Bristol
Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) is a coalition of groups and individuals in Bristol and the South West. They are campaigning against the expansion of Bristol airport including the impact it will have on their lives as passenger number grow, more planes fly at night, and more land is taken for airport-related development.
