London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has urged Andy Burnham to block the proposed Heathrow airport runway expansion. Sir Sadiq, a long-standing opponent of a second Heathrow runway, linked the expansion to climate change impacts, including "extreme heatwaves, drought and wildfires."
He stated that the case for expansion relies on "outdated evidence that fails to take into account the urgent challenges we face today." Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor for the Environment, also questioned the financial case for the expansion, telling City AM there is "literally no financial compelling case for why the expansion of Heathrow would be a good thing for our economy."
A government analysis in June reduced the estimated growth impact of the runway to a 0.05 per cent addition, a significant drop from a previous 0.5 per cent estimate. A government report also suggested the third runway could incur up to £62.5bn in net "social costs," which include environmental impacts from carbon emissions. However, the same report indicated potential passenger benefits of up to £42.4bn from lower airfares and increased trade.
Heathrow has committed to measures to limit air and noise pollution, and carbon emissions to comply with net zero obligations. The airport can offset emissions by purchasing carbon credits from other sectors. Andy Burnham's government is expected to consider the policy draft on the expansion in the coming months, following the conclusion of a consultation.
On Wednesday, Heathrow argued the project could create 108,000 jobs. Construction firms, including Mace and Costain, have also written to ministers, suggesting the new runway could help address the crisis of young people not in employment, education, or training.
A Department for Transport spokesperson confirmed that all consultation responses are being carefully considered before the next steps are outlined later this year. They reiterated that expansion would only proceed if it aligns with legally binding climate change obligations and strict environmental rules.