Following a statement by the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband a Green Councillor has asked for plans for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport to be abandoned.
In response to a recent report by the Government’s Climate Change Commission Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who is also the MP for Doncaster North said,
“Any airport expansion should only be made if it is compatible with the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan.”
Hillsborough Ward Green Party Councillor Christine Gilligan Kubo said,
“Reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport with all its additional flights will only make achieving our carbon targets more difficult to achieve. We see every day the impact of rising carbon emissions on our local and global environment. We know if these emissions aren’t addressed it will only get worse. Airport expansion cannot be part of any serious plans to address climate change.
“According to the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the government’s official advisers on averting catastrophic climate breakdown, in a 2023 report “there should be no net airport expansion unless the carbon-intensity of aviation is outperforming the Government’s emissions reduction pathway and can accommodate the additional demand.
“On 17th January, the Met Office reported that ‘Following the fastest annual rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in the Mauna Loa record between 2023 and 2024, the increase between 2024 and 2025 is forecast to remain faster than that required to limit global warming to 1.5°C.’ (3)
“It makes no sense at all for the South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard to support the re-opening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Does he really think it is a good idea to provide £105.2 million worth of loans over the next ten years, at a low interest rate, in effect a public subsidy. This is in addition to the £138 million of SMCA gainshare funding that has already been allocated. The private sector isn’t willing to put their money into the airport. They can see it is a white elephant, and a flying one at that! Following the Energy Secretary’s statement perhaps it is a dead duck as well.
“Surely it would be more cost effective, economically beneficial and contribute to the region’s climate change goals, if this money was made available to provide more public transport options which would allow people to travel around easily and reduce their reliance on the car. More people would benefit, enabling them to go about their everyday lives commuting, shopping and visiting friends.”
