12 December 2008
NPF2: Support for airport expansion undermines Government reputation on climate change
Transform Scotland today (Friday 12th) condemned the finalised National Planning Framework 2's (NPF2) support for airport expansion and a Second Forth Road Bridge as severely undermining the Scottish Government's reputation on climate change policy. Transform Scotland have however welcomed the inclusion of 'West of Scotland strategic rail enhancements' as a new strategic priority.
Transform Scotland say that it remains unclear whether the Scottish Government continues to support retention of land at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports for future construction of new runways (as specified in the UK Aviation White Paper) or whether it has now dropped its support for the expansion of these airports beyond their current boundaries.
Colin Howden, Director of Transform Scotland, said: [1]
"Last week, the Government launched its long-promised Scottish Climate Change Bill, claiming that this made it a world leader in tackling climate change. [2] Yet earlier this week, we saw the Government announce a £10 billion road-building programme. [3] Today, it has announced that it will enable airport expansion and protect it from full public scrutiny.
"These announcements have severely undermined the Scottish Government's reputation on climate change policy. It is beyond belief that the Government expects to get away with announcing one week that it is going to lead the world in combatting climate change then the week after announce plans for airport expansion and massive new road-building projects.
"Transport is the basket case of climate change policy. The growth in emissions in the transport sector will make it impossible to meet greenhouse gas emission targets, while growth in emissions from aviation are particularly problematic. By creating false expectations that we can continue flying and driving as much as we want, the Scottish Government is being dangerously irresponsible.
"NPF2 would effectively remove airport expansion from public scrutiny. It is deeply undemocratic that the public are being deprived of the opportunity to question the expansion plans of BAA plc, a private sector company. BAA will be rubbing their hands with glee that the Scottish Government wants to spend public funds expanding surface transport links to their airports." [4]
Colin Howden continued:
"We welcome the inclusion of one new national development on public transport. It was a serious omission in the NPF2 draft that none of the national developments were on sustainable transport. But the proposals for 'West of Scotland rail enhancements' remain vague and without any specific timescales for action. Compare this with the proposed Second Forth Road Bridge where the Government is keen to send in the bulldozers in 2011."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland
Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups.
[2] Strategic Transport Projects Review
See <http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/strategic-transport-projects-review>.
[3] Scottish Climate Change Bill
The Scottish Government claimed that it put Scotland "at the forefront of global efforts to tackle climate change". See <http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/12/05094352>. The Bill commits the Scottish Government to delivering 80% reduction in climate change emissions by 2050 (on a 1990 base; 77% reductions from today). While other sectors of the economy have seen falls in emissions, the transport sector continues to see increases in climate emissions.
[4] Backwards steps in democratic accountability of Scottish planning system
Earlier this year, Transform Scotland were excluded from the Public Local Inquiry into the proposed Aberdeen western bypass as the Scottish Government deliberately limited the remit and scope of the Inquiry - see <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/awpr-public-inquiry-condemned-as-a-charade.aspx> for further details.
[5] NPF2
Available at <http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/12/12093953/20>.
END OF NEWS RELEASE