Tech advances could mitigate third runway pollution, report suggests

Environmental campaigners were dealt a blow by an independent transport think-tank on Monday, with a new report suggesting technical improvements would mitigate any environmental effects of a new runway being built at Heathrow or Gatwick.

Westminster was still in the process of deciding which airport would receive London's next runway, with a number of environmental groups claiming a third runway at Heathrow - much closer to the capital's heart than Gatwick - would be detrimental in terms of noise and air pollution.

The Independent Transport Commission said in the report that it agreed environmental concerns were worth further attention, but believed future technological improvements would offset any future increases in CO2 and nitrogen oxide emissions arising from airport expansion.

It said improvements in those areas had been rapid over the last three decades, and the evidence suggested that progress was likely to continue. The latest generation of airliners such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350 had made great strides in terms of noise and emissions in recent years.

"Having reviewed these important sustainability issues in-depth, it is clear that the environmental challenges of limiting the carbon emissions, noise and local air quality impacts are not insurmountable," said ITC commissioner Dr Stephem Hickey.

"Whether the government pursues the proposal to expand Gatwick or Heathrow, the ITC research demonstrates that sustainability concerns should not stop the UK realising the great additional benefits that increased connectivity can provide," he added.

ITC said noise and local air quality impacts could be managed downwards, with a mix of operational, policy and technological development, while incremental improvements in carbon emission output were being delivered by the industry on an annual basis.

The commission said, however, that the public needed to be on side with whichever option was chosen, and the government needed to take action to prove it cared about these issues.

"Building public confidence and trust is essential. By arming an independent regulator with powers to monitor and control sensitive issues such as noise, the government could play its part in delivering improvements for those affected by airport operations once a decision is made," Dr Hickley said.

The Independent Transport Commission is a research charity supported by donations from large businesses and organisations.