Third Heathrow runway would 'spike global warming emissions by 30% from hub even with eco-fuel for planes' A third runway would increase global warming emissions from Heathrow by around 30 per cent, according to a new analysis.
“Even if the government’s new mandate of using 10% SAF by 2030 and 22% by 2040 was fully met, and taking the Chancellor’s figure that SAF reduces emissions by 70% compared to fossil fuels, this will still lead to an increase of emissions from flights of about 30%.
Rachel Reeves has argued that developments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mean that the Government can back airport expansion while still meeting its net zero legally binding commitments.
But Dr Rick Lupton, a senior lecturer in the University of Bath’s Department of Mechanical Engineering who specialises in modelling uncertain dynamic systems, has cast doubts on the likely impact of SAF that the Government is claiming as it has swung behind airport expansion in its dash for economic growth.
Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband, who has previously opposed a third runway, has stressed that the whole of the Government is committed to meeting its plan to tackle global warming as well as its No1 priority to boost economic growth.
