LONDON — Opening a third runway at Heathrow Airport could result in pollution equivalent to an additional 2.4 million tons of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each year by 2050, according to government estimates seen by POLITICO.
The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, sets out for the first time Whitehall’s forecasts for the additional environmental damage caused if a controversial third runway is opened at Heathrow in 2039.
The figure, from analysis conducted in January this year, is based on modeling applying ministers’ current “policy ambition” to cut aviation emissions.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in January that the government would back a third runway at Heathrow, the United Kingdom’s biggest airport. Her support is part of the Treasury’s bid to boost sluggish economic growth and generate jobs.
