Airport Expansion Paris Climate Change Agreement 2020-03-12
2020-03-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Court of Appeal judgment on the airports national policy statement is complex, prompting questions about future environmental obligations.
Asks why the government does not take the opportunity to address the incompatibility with Paris climate accord and review other planned expansions.
The Government are supportive of airport expansion where we can deliver it within our environmental obligations. The Court did not conclude that the expansion is incompatible with climate change, and we are reviewing this complex judgment.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Inquires about the government's compliance with their commitments under the Paris accord.
Asks if the Government now accept that they must revisit and revise the national policy statement on aviation to comply with the Paris accord, considering the Court's ruling as illegal.
The Government have outlined that it is an ongoing legal process. The judgment is complex, but we will update the House as soon as possible on future steps. Yes, the roads programme has been subject to rigorous environmental impact assessments.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Asks about the government's commitment to transparency regarding aviation sector challenges.
Questions if the Government will match Scotland's level of transparency on climate change targets, particularly including aircraft emissions.
Thanks for his interest. Sustainable Aviation has committed to delivering on its net zero target. The Government are committed to working with the industry to ensure technology and skills can deliver on our targets.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerned about the implications of leaving EASA, particularly regarding passenger safety.
Inquires if the Minister realises that leaving EASA is an act of folly as it may take up to a decade and be extremely difficult to recruit necessary expertise.
Thanks him for his question. We will see the first electric flight this year, and we have invested £300 million in the future flight challenge fund to ensure technology and skills can deliver on our targets.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address the challenges of leaving EASA regarding passenger safety.
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Response accuracy