Overview
- The Climate Change Committee published advice on Wednesday saying there is no credible pathway under current policies for Heathrow's planned expansion to fit the UK's legally binding net‑zero target.
- The CCC projects aviation emissions of about 38 MtCO2 by 2050 and warns that Heathrow expansion would add roughly 2.4 MtCO2 in 2050 with higher totals if the build‑out completes.
- Advisers call for new legislation and a revised 25‑year 'jet‑zero' strategy to force the aviation sector to cover the full cost of decarbonisation through scaled-up sustainable aviation fuel, engineered carbon removals, and contingency plans if technologies fail to scale.
- Industry and Heathrow say they are investing in cleaner tech and warn higher costs could price people out of flying while the government says it will consider the CCC advice and must ensure any expansion aligns with net zero.
- The CCC notes SAF currently makes up under 1% of global jet fuel and engineered removals remain tiny, so passengers may face higher fares or levies — the committee estimates costs could add about £150 to a return Alicante ticket and about £400 to a return New York ticket by 2050 — and a final government decision on expansion is expected by 2029.