Airlines should pay for CO2 removal if Heathrow expands, say climate advisers

The Climate Change Committee's recommendation that airlines pay for CO2 removal if Heathrow expands is a significant development in the UK's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The aviation industry is one of the fastest-growing sources of emissions, and the expansion of a major airport like Heathrow would likely lead to a substantial increase in CO2 emissions. By requiring airlines to pay for carbon removal, the government can ensure that the industry takes responsibility for its emissions and invests in solutions that can help mitigate its impact on the climate.

This recommendation is also a reflection of the growing recognition that reducing emissions will require not just cutting emissions from new sources, but also removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The UK has set a target to become net-zero by 2050, and the Climate Change Committee's advice is that achieving this goal will require the deployment of carbon removal technologies at scale. The aviation industry's contribution to this effort will be critical, and the committee's recommendation is a step towards ensuring that the industry plays its part.

What's next to watch is how the government responds to the Climate Change Committee's recommendation and whether it will make carbon removal a condition of Heathrow's expansion. The aviation industry's reaction will also be important, as it will need to develop and invest in carbon removal technologies if it is to meet the committee's requirements. The UK's approach to aviation and climate change will be closely watched by other countries, and the outcome could have implications for the global aviation industry's efforts to reduce its emissions.

Originally reported by theguardian.com. ClimateNews adds analysis for climate & energy readers.