BAA announces plans to expand airport as UN readies climate report
Stansted airport operators BAA today unveiled plans for a second runway, prompting condemnation from environmental campaigners concerned at the role aviation is playing in fuelling climate change.
Just two months ago Uttlesford District Council blocked plans to increase passenger numbers at the airport, citing climate change as a reason. But today BAA Chief Executive Stephen Nelson unveiled proposals to push for a second runway at the airport near Chelmsford, Essex.
Greenpeace campaigner Emily Armistead said: "Aviation is the fastest growing source of emissions in the UK, threatening to undo all the efforts made by individuals and other industries. If we're serious about tackling climate change we simply canﾴt let BAA get their way at Stansted. In the week the UN release their latest report, confirming the grave threat we face from global warming, the government should reign in the airline industry and call a halt to all airport expansion."
The world-respected Tyndall centre and Oxford University's Environmental Change Institute both calculate that Britain will be unable to meet its carbon reduction targets is aviation expands as predicted by the industry and government.
The government's 2003 aviation white paper calls for two new runways in the south-east of England.
Despite claims by BAA that low-cost airlines allow less wealthy people to travel, research by the Civil Aviation Authority shows the average annual household income of people using Stansted exceeds £47,000.
ENDS
Greenpeace press office - 0207 865 8255
