The UK Government has published its response to a House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report examining the implications of airport expansion for climate, air quality, noise and nature targets.
The Seventh Special Report of Session 2024–26, published on 12 January 2026, sets out the Government’s position on recommendations made by the Committee in its earlier report, Airport expansion and climate and nature targets, released in October 2025.
In its response, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while supporting growth in the aviation sector.
The Government confirmed that it is reviewing the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the framework for decisions on major airport expansion projects. The review, launched in October 2025, aims to reflect changes in legislation, policy and evidence since the ANPS was designated in 2018. Any proposed amendments are expected to be published for consultation by summer 2026 and would be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
As part of the review, the Department for Transport will publish updated analysis on the economic impacts of Heathrow expansion. This work is intended to address the Committee’s call for clearer evidence on the economic benefits of airport growth and its effects on other UK regions.
On environmental issues, the Government said it is considering how air quality limits, noise impacts and greenhouse gas emissions should be addressed within a revised ANPS. It noted that updated assessments, including an Appraisal of Sustainability and a Habitats Regulations Assessment, are being reviewed alongside the policy statement.
The response also outlined ongoing work to reduce emissions from aviation. This includes the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Mandate, airspace modernisation, support for low and zero-emission aircraft technologies, and the use of carbon pricing through the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and the international CORSIA framework. The Government said it plans to withdraw free UK ETS allowances for aviation from 2026.
Addressing concerns about non-CO₂ impacts such as contrails, ministers highlighted a 29 million GBP cross-government research programme launched in 2023 and said further findings would inform future policy. The Government acknowledged that there is currently no agreed metric for measuring non-CO₂ effects but said research is underway to address this gap.
On aviation taxation, the response confirmed that Air Passenger Duty remains the main tax on the sector and is expected to raise 4.7 billion GBP in 2025–26. While not described as an environmental tax, the Government said APD aligns with the “polluter pays” principle by increasing with flight distance.
The Committee had urged the Government to legislate to formally include international aviation emissions within carbon budgets. In response, ministers said they are already planning on that basis from 2033 onwards and intend to lay the necessary legislation by summer 2026, subject to parliamentary time.
The Government states that no airport expansion project will be able to proceed without meeting legal requirements on climate change, air quality, noise and biodiversity. Any application for a third runway at Heathrow would still need development consent and would be examined through the planning process, including opportunities for public and parliamentary scrutiny.
The full government response can be read here.
