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Court Rules Major Airport Expansion Illegal Due To Climate Change Concerns

by Alix Coe | February 27, 2020

Heathrow Airport has been denied permission to add a third runway by the UK court of appeal over climate change concerns.

The court ruled that to allow an expansion would go against the Paris agreement — the United Nations policy to tackle greenhouse-gas-emissions.

This is the first time that the Paris agreement has been used to influence a major court ruling.

The legal challenge to prevent the expansion was raised, in part, by legal charity Plan B. A number of other groups — including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth — also fought against the third runway.

“Commitment To The Paris Agreement”

“It’s now clear that our governments can’t keep claiming commitment to the Paris agreement, while simultaneously taking actions that blatantly contradict it,” said Tim Crosland, a spokesperson for Plan B.

“The bell is tolling on the carbon economy loud and clear.”

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Heathrow Airport Expansion

Heathrow Airport — located in London — is one of the busiest airports in the world. With 80 million passengers already coming through the airport each year, the expansion would create space for 700 more planes every day.

“Our manifesto makes clear any Heathrow expansion will be industry-led,” said Grant Shapps, UK transport secretary.

“Airport expansion is core to boosting global connectivity and levelling up across the UK. We also take seriously our commitment to the environment.”

Do you think the courts decision will be upheld? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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