The proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport poses significant environmental concerns, including increased carbon emissions, noise pollution, and air quality degradation. The Airports Commission estimated an additional 4.4 million tonnes of CO2 annually, exacerbating the climate crisis while the government’s plans for sustainable aviation fuels remain insufficient. Noise pollution would affect thousands more residents, and construction would disrupt local ecosystems, demolishing homes and altering waterways. Despite claims of progress in reducing emissions, experts argue that expanding airport capacity contradicts the UK’s climate commitments.
The push for airport expansion, particularly at Heathrow, is so ironical for environmental sustainability and climate targets for the UK. As the aviation sector continues to expand, it becomes increasingly vital to prioritize innovative solutions and infrastructure that genuinely align with climate goals rather than merely accommodating rising travel demands. The UK government’s commitments to reducing emissions must be matched by actionable policies that prevent airport expansions from undermining these targets, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive management system to balance aviation growth with emission reductions.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/29/heathrow-third-runway-a-saga-of-promises-protest-and-u-turns#img-1
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/29/third-heathrow-runway-pollution-emissions-noise
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2 w
Expanding Heathrow while claiming to cut emissions is the definition of climate hypocrisy.
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5 w
Dear walter lungayi Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Heathrow Airport by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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6 w
Heathrow Airport is a major air polluter. They management should consider sustainable operations and also take care of the environment.
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6 w
It always surprises me on how environment or climate change policies are overlooked and it's said it development avoiding the responsibility of action that don't balance development with ecosystem, or mining and forest, it's sad, I think some policies need serious review.
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6 w
We are on a mission to zero carbon emissions. The company should consider first how it will regulate the carbon emissions before continuing with the expansion.
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6 w
Having more runways for more plains and there are very few electric planes then it means more carbon, but also the expansion shouldn't violate the UK climate commitments.
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2 w
@zelda_ninga_442 You're absolutely right.
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6 w
The company should first work on it's climate plan before expanding the port
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6 w
@annett_michuki well said
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6 w
Today Heathrow is the world's busiest international airport and the hub of the civil aviation world. Over 67 million passengers travel through the airport annually on services offered by 90 airlines travelling to over 180 destinations in over 90 countries. It is certainly a big contributor to climate emissions.
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6 w
This is unacceptable! Any project that contradicts climate goals should not allowed at all
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6 w
Expanding airport capacity while struggling with climate commitments just doesn’t add up. We need to rethink growth and prioritize sustainability
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6 w
@ann_nyambura_542 exactly 💯
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6 w
@ann_nyambura_542 Nothing to add.