Leeds Bradford Airport expansion shouldn't go ahead until zero carbon fuels are a commercial reality: Yorkshire Post Letters

In his letter (The Yorkshire Post, August 17), Leeds Bradford Airport’s CEO Hywel Rees made some optimistic claims about reducing greenhouse gas emissions from flying.

However those claims are not backed up by the facts.

The Government’s expert climate change advisers have clearly stated that zero carbon aviation is not on the horizon.

In September 2019 the UK Committee on Climate Change told the Government that “zero-carbon aviation is highly unlikely to be feasible by 2050” and warned that the development of emission-free aircraft fuel is “highly speculative and should not be relied upon”.

The aviation industry says it’s working to reduce its emissions – that is welcome and not before time. But the scientific evidence says that’s not going to happen anytime soon. So airport expansion should not be allowed until zero carbon fuels are commercially available in reality – not just the drawing board.

From: Gary Kitchin, Leeds.

The global effect of the coronavirus has been a radical one.

As we emerge slowly from lockdown, I think we need to review how we all live our lives. Coronavirus is hopefully a short-term issue, but it is a mere distraction compared to the catastrophic climate change racing down the line. The effect of a sharp fall in the usual human activities has been dramatic. Our air is cleaner to breathe. Our roads have been quieter and safer. Wildlife has thrived where the human footprint has been reduced.

In human terms, we have found a much better sense of community and care for each other. Across the country countless voluntary groups have proved there is such a thing as society, as people have found ways to help each other in extraordinary ways. We now need a radical shift to green technologies.

This period has been tough, but we have glimpsed what a more sustainable future could look like. With the correct political leadership, and support from the public, we can have a better, cleaner world.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson