GMB London call on Rebecca Long Bailey to reconsider ditching Heathrow third runway
GMB London call on Rebecca Long Bailey to reconsider opposing Heathrow expansion and engage with aviation industry plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050
A focus by the industry on cutting carbon emissions by the industry is the right approach rather than cutting the ability of passengers to travel by air as air travel has played a fundamental role in creating our contemporary networked world says GMB London
GMB London, the union for airport workers, commented on the report that Rebecca Long Bailey supports ditching the expansion of Heathrow airport by building a third runway. See link to report.
Labour leadership: Rebecca Long-Bailey calls for Heathrow expansion to be ditched to combat climate emergency The Independent
Warren Kenny, GMB London Regional Secretary, said:
“I urge Rebecca Long Bailey to reconsider this position.
“I urge her and others in the Labour Party to engage with the UK Aviation industry to look in detail at the proposal made by the industry to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the industry by 2050. See notes to editors for copy of the report on the proposals on Press Association and GMB response to it dated 4th February 2020.
“The plan is to achieve this aim by a mix of new green technologies and new green fuels and in addition by the offsetting of carbon emissions by planting trees.
“GMB London will engage with the industry to discuss each of these proposals and examine the scope for job creation that they entail particularly in other regions of the UK.
“The expansion of runway capacity in London is overdue. Heathrow is running at full capacity now while the population of London is projected to rise to 11 million well below 2050. In addition also involved are thousands of well paid jobs for this growing population.
“The focus by the industry on cutting carbon emissions by the industry is the right approach rather than cutting the ability of passengers to travel by air. Air travel has played a fundamental role in creating our contemporary networked world.
“GMB urge Labour Party leadership candidates to engage with this approach by the industry to achieve a net zero carbon emissions target by 2050.
“GMB does not support those who want to ration air travel by a general strategy of pricing of it out of reach of ordinary people and available only to those with way above average incomes as this is turning the clock back on human progress.
“On the alternative frequent flyer tax it is very difficult to see how it could be operated without the introduction of a central government held data base containing the details of each and every flights taken by all citizens. This would be a very big “big brother” step to take - particularly if there are viable other alternatives to avoid such a drastic step.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Contact: GMB London Region 0208 202 8272 or Gary Pearce 07850 036952 or 07921 289880
Copy of GMB London press release dated 4 February 2020.
GMB LONDON WELCOME COMMITMENT BY UK AVIATION INDUSTRY TO CUT CARBON EMISSIONS TO NET ZERO BY 2050
The focus on cutting carbon emissions by the industry rather than cutting the ability of passengers to travel by air is welcome as it has played an fundamental role in creating our contemporary networked world says GMB London
GMB London, the union for workers at London Airports, welcomed the commitment by the UK Aviation industry to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. See copy of the report on Press Association in notes to editors below.
Gary Pearce, GMB regional officer for airport workers, said “GMB London supports the UK meeting a target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
GMB welcome this commitment by the UK aviation industry to meet a very challenging target for the industry to cut emissions to net zero by 2050.
The plan is to achieve this aim by a mix of new green technologies and new green fuels and in addition by the offsetting of carbon emissions by planting trees.
GMB London will engage with the industry to discuss each of these proposals and examine the scope for job creation that they entail particularly in other regions of the UK.
GMB welcome this focus on cutting carbon emissions by the industry rather than cutting the ability of passengers to travel by air. Air travel has played a fundamental role in creating our contemporary networked world.
GMB does not support those who want to ration air travel by a general strategy of pricing of it out of reach of ordinary people and available only to those with way above average incomes as they are turning the clock back.
On the alternative frequent flyer tax it is very difficult to see how it could be operated without the introduction of a central government held data base containing the details of each and every flights taken by all citizens. This would be a very big “big brother” step to take - particularly if there are viable other alternatives to avoid such a drastic step.”
End
Notes to editors
Copy of the report on Press Association
PLEDGE TO CUT AVIATION CARBON EMISSIONS TO NET ZERO BY 2050
04 Feb 2020
By Neil Lancefield, PA Transport Correspondent.
The UK's aviation industry has pledged to reduce its net carbon emissions to zero by 2050.
More efficient aircraft and engines, sustainable aviation fuels and carbon offsetting schemes are among the measures featured in a Decarbonisation Road-Map.
The plan also includes modernising airspace and streamlined ground operations.
It was published by Sustainable Aviation, an alliance of firms and operators such as Heathrow Airport, British Airways, easyJet, Airbus and Nats.
It states that the sector can accommodate a 70% growth in passenger numbers by 2050 while reducing net carbon emissions levels from 30 million tonnes of CO2 per year to zero.
The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon emissions due to environmental concerns.
Last week, US firm Wright Electric - which is collaborating with easyJet to manufacture an electric airliner - announced it has started engine development for a 186-seater plane, and hopes to begin test flights in 2023.
British Airways is investing in a scheme to generate sustainable jet fuel from household and commercial waste.
Sustainable Aviation chairman Neil Robinson acknowledged that climate change is a "clear and pressing issue" for people, businesses and governments around the world.
He went on: "We know aviation emissions will increase if decisive action is not taken, and that's why UK aviation today commits to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, through an international approach, working with governments around the world and through the UN.
"The UK is well positioned to become one of the leaders in the green technologies of the future."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "The fight against climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the modern world, but the aviation sector's commitment today is a huge step forward in creating a greener future.
"Aviation has a crucial role to play in reducing carbon emissions, and with the help of new technologies, renewable fuels and our continued international co-operation through the UN agency, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, we'll be able to strike that balance, creating a greener and cleaner future."
