The Environmental Audit Committee is a cross party, Commons Select Committee, whose remit is to consider the extent to which the policies and programmes of UK Government Departments, and non-Departmental Public Bodies, contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development, and to audit their performance against sustainable development and environmental protection targets.
On the 28th March 2025, just six days before the Secretary of State for Transport is due to give their decision on the Development Consent Order to expand Luton Airport from 19 million to 32 million passengers per annum, they announce an Inquiry on airport expansion and climate and nature targets.
https://committees.parliament.uk/work/9061/airport-expansion-and-climate-and-nature-targets
They are holding this Inquiry to seek the following: –
- Establish the climate and environmental targets which Ministers ought to ensure are met under its policy to support Airport Expansion.
- Examine current projections for aviation demand, for aviation emissions and for the reduction of emissions and other negative environmental impacts, through technological developments and other means.
- Ascertain what environmental and climate conditions the Government ought to establish for airport developments through the use of Planning Policy Statements?
- Consider how Ministers would seek to maintain aviation’s compliance with climate and environmental targets and what policy safeguards might be necessary to achieve