New hint that third Heathrow runway to get 'green' go-ahead

A THIRD runway at Heathrow need not breach Britain's new legal target to cut greenhouse gas emissions, Gordon Brown's environmental adviser has hinted.

Lord Turner of Ecchinswell said that if airlines used biofuels or other low-carbon sources aviation could expand while still meeting the plan to reduce emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

"It's possible for the world to cut greenhouse gases while still not cutting aviation by anything like as much, even increase aviation emissions," he said.

Lord Turner, who chairs Mr Brown's Climate Change Committee as well as the Financial Services Authority, appeared to dispute claims that Heathrow expansion would undermine the UK's fight against climate change. Environment Agency chief Lord Smith of Finsbury has warned that the third runway would push local air and noise pollution to intolerable levels.

Although falling short of an endorsement of the plans, Lord Turner's remarks could give the Government cover for an announcement before Christmas that there can be a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow to cater for hundreds more flights every day.

The Climate Change Committee will publish its first report outlining how the Government will meet its promise on cutting greenhouse gases. The report on Monday will include interim targets for reductions which must be achieved up to 2022.

Green groups fear that the recession will dampen ministers' enthusiasm for the environment as harsh economic realities counter plans to impose new carbon costs.

Following lobbying by the car industry across Europe, the Government yesterday watered down a recommended new car emissions target for 2012, saying it would phase in a target by 2020. But it added that it was also pushing for a lower limit.

The Government's climate change target - formally passed into law last night when the Climate Change Act received royal assent- includes aviation and shipping, though it will not specifically set a target for Heathrow.