Climate Change: Deeds must now match words

On 30 July, Uttlesford District Council declared a climate emergency and committed to achieving net zero carbon status by 2030. SSE has now challenged the Council to convert words into deeds by making clear that it will not support further expansion at Stansted Airport.
Aviation is the fastest growing contributor to global climate change and Stansted Airport is the largest single source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the East of England.
If the current planning application for 43 million passengers per annum (mppa) were to be approved, Stansted would be responsible for the equivalent of 4.9 million tonnes of CO2 – the same amount as produced annually by around two million average family cars.
SSE Chairman Peter Sanders has called upon all UDC councillors to demonstrate their commitment to tackling climate change, saying as follows: “It is now time to convert words into actions. The Council’s declaration of a climate emergency would be a hollow gesture if it were now to approve the expansion of the airport to 43mppa, almost equivalent to today’s Gatwick.”
Mr Sanders concluded: “The need to tackle climate change is an urgent challenge which transcends politics and we owe it to our children and grandchildren to do everything in our power to prevent a climate emergency becoming a climate disaster. Our local council now needs to rise to this historic challenge. We very much hope that on an issue as important as this for future generations, councillors will agree with SSE that reducing the adverse environmental impacts of aircraft carbon emissions is now a high priority matter and the right thing to do. History will remember those who fight for what they believe to be right long after it has forgotten those who gave way on such a vital issue.”