The Sustainable
Development Commission (SDC) and the Institute for Public Policy
Research (IPPR) have been examining aviation policy for a year.
They conclude that so much
fundamental data is disputed that an independent inquiry is needed to
sort it out.
The government said it had
serious objections to the report's findings.
A statement from the Department for Transport (DfT) rejected the
notion
that a further three-year debate, as requested by the SDC and IPPR,
would serve any useful purpose.
Among the main areas of dispute are:
- The economic benefit of aviation
: Treasury analysis based on aviation industry research estimates
future increases in economic activity through expanded aviation - but
excludes any calculation of losses to the UK tourist industry through
cheap flights abroad.
- The impact of aviation's greenhouse gas emissions
: This is a particularly difficult area as scientists are still trying
to work out exactly how much the heating effect of aircraft emissions
is magnified, as the gases are released at altitude. There is also
uncertainty over how to express the significance of the heating effect
of contrails.
- The role of technology
: The aviation industry believes that many problems can be solved by
improved technology. But many experts warn that improvements in
technology cannot keep up with the increase in demand for flying.
The SDC/IPPR report said all the uncertainty had eroded people's
confidence in government policy.
They want to see a full investigation - and airport expansion
frozen until it is completed.
Despite its uncertainties the report does feel free to make one
solid observation.
It says: "Clashing government priorities across different
departments
and agencies - including promoting economic growth, meeting future
travel needs, protecting the environment, addressing climate change,
and ensuring the health and well-being of communities - are
contributing to a lack of coherence across government."
Listening commitment
Hugh Raven, SDC commissioner, said: "The SDC and IPPR held meetings
with the government, the aviation industry, academics, NGOs and
citizens' groups over a period of a year.
"While we expected to find areas of conflict, we were
unprepared for the level of fundamental disagreement over the data
underpinning the government's whole aviation strategy.
"Until some basic questions are answered, the UK cannot
be in a position to make major decisions about the future of air
travel.
"The government must live up to its commitment to
listening to voters' concerns, and ensure we make the best possible
decisions for everyone involved."
Simon Retallack, associate director of the IPPR, added:
"It is vital that the evidence is looked at again through an
independent and widely supported process. Establishing a special
commission to do that provides the government with the best way
forward."
Serves 'no interest'
But a DfT spokesperson said it was "simply wrong to claim that
there is a consensus that the evidence base is flawed".
"We strongly believe the aviation industry must play its part in
meeting its environmental costs which is why the government championed
the inclusion of aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. But given
the government has conducted a widespread debate over the last six
years, deferring a decision in favour of a further three-year debate as
this report suggests is not a serious option."
And Michelle Di Leo, director of the aviation lobby
group FlyingMatters, said: "The Air Transport White Paper was based on
13 months of public consultation and 500,000 responses.
"To completely review that policy would create
uncertainty and planning blight for communities around airports in the
UK - that would be bad news for everyone not to mention the taxpayer
who would have to foot the bill."
Colin was appointed BAA's Chief Executive Officer in 2008. He is an
experienced FTSE100 CEO who has led a number of service and industrial
businesses in several countries. Prior to joining BAA, Colin was Group
Chief Executive of Severn Trent plc, Managing Director of BA
Engineering for British Airways plc, and later Executive Director of
Lattice Group plc and Group Chief Executive of Hays Group plc.
Nick joined BAA in February 2010. Nick was previously director
of business development Northern Europe for CEVA Logistics, and has
experience in logistics, supply chain and manufacturing at companies
such as DHL, Gap, Diageo, Scottish Courage, Heinz and Mars. His role is
critical to continuously improving operations at Heathrow and making
every journey better for our passengers and airlines