Ontario Pension Plan-Owned U.K. Airport Will Wreak Havoc On Climate, Say Villagers

"The airport plans to grow from 10 million to 12 million passengers a year, adding about 10,400 flights and thousands of parking spaces, according to planning documents . The expansion would increase carbon emissions by over 60 per cent to at least 1.6 million tonnes a year, said a submitted to North Somerset council by Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, a firm hired by the airport."

"The plan flies in the face of any progress the region has made towards climate action, including declaring a state of emergency in 2019, said North Somerset Councillor Steve Hogg. "If you believe in climate change, how can you possibly reconcile that with an expansion that will put another million cubic tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere? How can you possibly say that's an acceptable thing to do?" Hogg said in an interview. "It's just unbelievable. That we're even talking about"

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan owns the regional airport in North Somerset, adjacent to protected greenbelt land. The airport plans to expand from 10 million to 12 million passengers annually, adding about 10,400 flights and thousands of parking spaces. A consultant's submission to North Somerset council estimates carbon emissions would rise by over 60 percent to at least 1.6 million tonnes per year. The Campaign Against Climate Change estimates the emissions increase exceeds total carbon from surrounding homes, cars and industries combined. Students, teachers, community groups and Greta Thunberg have publicly opposed the expansion. Local officials say the plan contradicts the region's 2019 climate emergency declaration.

Read at HuffPost