| Synopsis: |
Following on from the Committee's inquiry into the environmental costs and impacts of aviation (HCP 672, 9th report, session 2002-03; ISBN 0215012453), this report examines the environmental implications of the Government's White Paper on the future expansion of air transport (Cm. 6046, December 2003; ISBN 0101604629). Conclusions reached include: that the Government has falled to realise the disparity between its plans to expand the aviation sector and increase airport capacity with its major commitments to reduce carbon emissions and to develop a sustainable consumption strategy; the Department for Transport (DfT), in conjunction with the Treasury, could have used economic instruments to moderate forecast growth; the DfT has failed to appraise fully the overall impacts resulting from the expansion in air travel; Given that prospects for incorporating aviation in the EU emissions trading system from 2008 are now uncertain, the Committee notes its disappointment that alternative strategies have not been pursued. |